Radiating closures

ABSTRACT

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing telecommunications signal relays, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing telecommunications signal relays using radiating closures (either aerial, below grade, and/or buried, etc.), or the like. In various embodiments, a signal distribution system, which might be disposed within a radiating closure, might receive a first communications signal. A wireless transceiver of the signal distribution system might send the first communications signal, via one or more wireless communications channels, to one or more devices that are external to the radiating closure. In some embodiments, antennas—which might comprise first antennas disposed within the radiating closure or second antennas embedded in a housing material of the radiating closure, or both—might direct the first communications signal that is sent from the wireless transceiver to the one or more devices. In some cases, IoT sensors may be implemented in the radiating closure.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to methods, systems, andapparatuses for implementing telecommunications signal relays, and, moreparticularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementingtelecommunications signal relays using radiating closures that are atleast one of aerial radiating closures, below grade radiating closures,and/or buried radiating closures.

BACKGROUND

Although aerial closures, below grade closures, and buried closures arecurrently available, such conventional closures do not appear to enablewireless transmission from antennas disposed within them or embeddedwithin their housings or shells. These conventional closures also do notappear to utilize low spectrum signals and/or or higher gain throughmultiple antennas, nor do they appear to utilize IoT sensors disposedwithin them.

Hence, there is a need for more robust and scalable solutions forimplementing telecommunications signal relays, and, more particularly,to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing telecommunicationssignal relays using radiating closures that are at least one of aerialradiating closures, below grade radiating closures, and/or buriedradiating closures, and/or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particularembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals areused to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label isassociated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for implementingdistributed broadband wireless implementation in premises electricaldevices, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic diagrams illustrating various embodiments of aradiating closure that may be used for implementing telecommunicationssignal relays.

FIGS. 3A-3D are schematic diagrams illustrating various embodiments of aradiating closure having embedded antennas within a housing thereof thatmay be used for implementing telecommunications signal relays.

FIGS. 4A-4D are general schematic diagrams illustrating variousembodiments of two- and three-dimensional antenna arrays, systems, ordesigns that may be used in the radiating closure for implementingtelecommunications signal relays.

FIGS. 5A-5K are general schematic diagrams illustrating various antennasor antenna designs that may be used in the radiating closure forimplementing telecommunications signal relays, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow diagrams illustrating a method for implementingtelecommunications signal relays, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer or systemhardware architecture, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system of computers,computing systems, or system hardware architecture, which can be used inaccordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Overview

Various embodiments provide tools and techniques for implementingtelecommunications signal relays, and, more particularly, to methods,systems, and apparatuses for implementing telecommunications signalrelays using radiating closures that are at least one of aerialradiating closures, below grade radiating closures, and/or buriedradiating closures, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, a signal distribution system, which might bedisposed within a radiating closure, might receive a firstcommunications signal. A wireless transceiver of the signal distributionsystem might send the first communications signal, via one or morewireless communications channels, to one or more devices that areexternal to the radiating closure. In some embodiments, antennas—whichmight comprise first antennas disposed within the radiating closure orsecond antennas embedded in a housing material of the radiating closure,or both—might direct the first communications signal that is sent, viathe one or more wireless communications channels, from the wirelesstransceiver to the one or more devices, in some cases, directing thefirst communications signal in multiple different directions (either twoor more discretely different directions or in all directions (i.e.,radiating radially outward in three-dimensions, similar, but notlimited, to radiating from a sphere or radiating from some otherthree-dimensional object, or the like)). In some cases, IoT sensors maybe implemented in the radiating closure.

According to some embodiments, a physical closure is provided thatcombines a number of unique advantages. The closure can be aerial,direct buried, or below ground. The closure material might containembedded material that make an antenna designed to radiate in all or agiven direction around the closure. The wireless communication systemuses signal lines that are conveniently available in the closure (e.g.,fiber, copper, coax, etc.) and optionally line powering. Three mainpurposes may be achieved using the embodiments described herein. Themain goal is to provide wireless access—mobile or fixed—cellular orbroadband to a certain area (similar to that as described in detail inthe '665 Application (which has already been incorporated herein byreference in its entirety for all purposes), which covered a number ofbuildings and structures including pedestals, cabinets, but notclosures). The closure is an ideal location to place the wirelessdistribution system because it can be placed aerially in any design,direct buried, or placed below ground up to the customer property (suchas the front yard or the like). The second purpose is to use the closurematerial and structural role as an antenna support. These closures areusually made of plastic or aluminum (or other metal), and combining thatshell material with various antenna designs such as microstrip patchesis a cost efficient manufacturing approach. The third purpose is thatthe closure may additionally contain sensors or other Internet of Things(“IoT”) devices—it is, for instance, important to monitor temperature,humidity, chemical levels in some closures, pressure, and/or the like indirect buried or below ground closures (and also in aerial closures) tobe able to detect an abnormal pressure/crushing event or other externalconditions (e.g., weather or the like), that may damage cables orcommunications devices.

Merely by way of example, in some embodiments, antenna structures mightbe implemented to optimize transmission and reception of wirelesssignals from ground-based signal distribution devices, which include,but are not limited to, FDH, hand holes, and/or NAPs. In some cases,antenna structures might also be implemented within devices (e.g.,wireless access point devices) that are imbedded or located withinapical conduit channels, as described in detail in the '574 Application.In some embodiments, an antenna might be provided within a signaldistribution device, which might include a container disposed in aground surface. A top portion of the container might be substantiallylevel with a top portion of the ground surface. The antenna might becommunicatively coupled to one or more of at least one conduit, at leastone optical fiber line, at least one conductive signal line, or at leastone power line via the container and via an apical conduit system(s)installed in a roadway. In the embodiments described with respect to thefigures below, antenna structures might be implemented to optimizetransmission and reception of wireless signals in below gradeimplementations (including, but not limited to, a closure or containerthat is disposed in a man hole or hand hole, mostly surrounded by airand other closures, or the like), or in aerial implementations(including, without limitation, an aerial closure orcontainer—including, but not limited to the SLIC™ line of aerialclosures by 3M™, or any suitable container that can be suspended in theair (e.g., by wires, cables, support lines, utility poles, and/or thelike)). Wireless applications with such devices and systems mightinclude, without limitation, wireless signal transmission and receptionin accordance with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af standards, UMTS, CDMA,LTE, PCS, AWS, EAS, BRS, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, the methods, apparatuses, and systemsmight be applied to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless broadband signaldistribution as used with today's IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac lines ofproducts. Given the low profile devices, such methods, apparatuses, andsystems may also be applicable to upcoming TV white spaces applications(and the corresponding IEEE 802.11af standard). In addition, small cellsat 600 MHz and 700 MHz may be well-suited for use with these devices. Insome embodiments, higher frequencies can be used such as 60 GHz and thecorresponding standard IEEE 802.11ad. The '574, '216, and '665Applications, which have been incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety, describe in further detail embodiments utilizing wirelessaccess points based on IEEE 802.11ad and a system of ground-based signaldistribution devices having these 60 GHz wireless access points disposedtherein that are in line of sight of the customer premises. Methods forplacing, powering, and backhauling radio access units using acombination of existing copper lines, cabinets, pedestals, hand holes,new power lines, new optical fiber connections to the customer premises,placement of radio equipment in pedestals or hand holes, and/or thelike, via use of apical conduit systems are described in detail in the'034, '574, '691, '676, '216, and '665 Applications, which are alreadyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The following detailed description illustrates a few exemplaryembodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in the art topractice such embodiments. The described examples are provided forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Inother instances, certain structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form. Several embodiments are described herein, and whilevarious features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should beappreciated that the features described with respect to one embodimentmay be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token,however, no single feature or features of any described embodimentshould be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, asother embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

In an aspect, a method might comprise receiving, with a signaldistribution system disposed within a radiating closure, a firstcommunications signal and sending, with a wireless transceiver of thesignal distribution system, the first communications signal, via one ormore wireless communications channels, to one or more devices that areexternal to the radiating closure. The method might further comprisedirecting, with at least one of one or more first antennas disposedwithin the radiating closure or one or more second antennas embedded ina housing material of the radiating closure, the first communicationssignal that is sent, via the one or more wireless communicationschannels, from the wireless transceiver to the one or more devices.

In some embodiments, the radiating closure might be one of an aerialradiating closure, a below grade radiating closure, or a buriedradiating closure, and/or the like. In some cases, receiving the firstcommunications signal might comprise receiving, with the signaldistribution system, the first communications signal via one or moresignal lines entering the radiating closure through one or morepass-throughs in at least one wall of the radiating closure. The one ormore signal lines might comprise at least one of one or moretelecommunications lines, one or more broadband-over-power signal lines,one or more copper cable lines, one or more optical fiber lines, or oneor more coaxial cable lines, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, directing the first communications signalto the one or more devices via the one or more wireless communicationschannels might comprise directing, with the at least one of the one ormore first antennas disposed within the radiating closure or the one ormore second antennas embedded in the housing material of the radiatingclosure, the first communications signal to the one or more devices viathe one or more wireless communications channels in multiple differentdirections.

Merely by way of example, in some instances, the one or more firstantennas and the one or more second antennas might each transmit andreceive wireless broadband signals according to a set of protocolscomprising at least one of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g,IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ad, or IEEE 802.11af, and/or thelike. In some cases, the one or more first antennas and the one or moresecond antennas might each transmit and receive wireless broadbandsignals according to a set of protocols comprising at least one ofUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”), Code DivisionMultiple Access (“CDMA”), Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”), GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (“GSM”), Long Term Evolution (“LTE”),Personal Communications Service (“PCS”), Advanced Wireless Services(“AWS”), Emergency Alert System (“EAS”), Citizens Band Radio Service(“CBRS”), or Broadband Radio Service (“BRS”), and/or the like. Accordingto some embodiments, the one or more first antennas might each compriseat least one of a plurality of lateral patch antennas, a plurality ofarrays of patch antennas, one or more micro-strip patch antennas, atwo-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or a three-dimensional(“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/or the like. One or more of the atleast one of the plurality of lateral patch antennas, the plurality ofarrays of patch antennas, the one or more micro-strip patch antennas,the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or thethree-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/or the likemight comprise flexible material that allows the one or more of the atleast one of the plurality of lateral patch antennas, the plurality ofarrays of patch antennas, the one or more micro-strip patch antennas,the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or thethree-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/or the like tobe bent while being disposed within the radiating closure. In somecases, at least one of the one or more first antennas and the one ormore second antennas might comprise at least one active antenna element.

In some embodiments, the method might further comprise monitoring, withone or more Internet of Things (“IoT”)-capable sensor devices disposedwithin the radiating closure, one or more environmental conditionswithin the radiating closure and external to the radiating closure;determining, with the one or more IoT-capable sensor devices, whetherone or more sensor data corresponding to the monitored one or moreenvironmental conditions exceed one or more corresponding predeterminedthresholds; and, based on a determination that the one or more sensordata corresponding to the monitored one or more environmental conditionsexceed one or more corresponding predetermined thresholds, autonomouslysending, with the one or more IoT-capable sensor devices and viamachine-to-machine communications, the one or more sensor data to one ormore nodes. In some cases, the one or more IoT-capable sensor devicesmight comprise at least one of one or more temperature sensors, one ormore humidity sensors, one or more accelerometers, one or more vibrationsensors, one or more chemical detectors, one or more pressure sensors,one or more weather sensors, one or more wind sensors, one or moremoisture sensors, or one or more seismic sensors, and/or the like.

In another aspect, an apparatus might comprise a housing; a signaldistribution system, which is disposed within the housing, that receivesa first communications signal; a wireless transceiver, which iscommunicatively coupled to the signal distribution system, that sendsthe first communications signal, via one or more wireless communicationschannels, to one or more devices that are external to the housing; andat least one of one or more first antennas disposed within the housingor one or more second antennas embedded in a housing material of thehousing that directs the first communications signal that is sent, viathe one or more wireless communications channels, from the wirelesstransceiver to the one or more devices.

In some embodiments, the apparatus might be a radiating closure thatforms a container. Alternatively, or additionally, the apparatus mightbe a radiating closure that forms a lid of a container. In someinstances, the housing material might comprise at least one of metal orplastic, and/or the like. According to some embodiments, the apparatusmight be a radiating closure, which might be one of an aerial radiatingclosure, a below grade radiating closure, or a buried radiating closure,and/or the like.

In some cases, receiving the first communications signal might comprisereceiving the first communications signal via one or more signal linesentering the apparatus through one or more pass-throughs in at least onewall of the housing, the one or more signal lines comprising at leastone of one or more telecommunications lines, one or morebroadband-over-power signal lines, one or more copper cable lines, oneor more optical fiber lines, or one or more coaxial cable lines, and/orthe like. According to some embodiments, directing the firstcommunications signal to the one or more devices via the one or morewireless communications channels comprises directing the firstcommunications signal to the one or more devices via the one or morewireless communications channels in multiple different directions.

Merely by way of example, in some instances, the one or more firstantennas and the one or more second antennas might each transmit andreceive wireless broadband signals according to a set of protocolscomprising at least one of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g,IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ad, or IEEE 802.11af, and/or thelike. In some cases, the one or more first antennas and the one or moresecond antennas might each transmit and receive wireless broadbandsignals according to a set of protocols comprising at least one ofUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”), Code DivisionMultiple Access (“CDMA”), Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”), GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (“GSM”), Long Term Evolution (“LTE”),Personal Communications Service (“PCS”), Advanced Wireless Services(“AWS”), Emergency Alert System (“EAS”), Citizens Band Radio Service(“CBRS”), or Broadband Radio Service (“BRS”), and/or the like. Accordingto some embodiments, the one or more first antennas might each compriseat least one of a plurality of lateral patch antennas, a plurality ofarrays of patch antennas, one or more micro-strip patch antennas, atwo-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or a three-dimensional(“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/or the like. One or more of the atleast one of the plurality of lateral patch antennas, the plurality ofarrays of patch antennas, the one or more micro-strip patch antennas,the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or thethree-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/or the likemight comprise flexible material that allows the one or more of the atleast one of the plurality of lateral patch antennas, the plurality ofarrays of patch antennas, the one or more micro-strip patch antennas,the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or thethree-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/or the like tobe bent while being disposed within the housing. In some cases, at leastone of the one or more first antennas and the one or more secondantennas might comprise at least one active antenna element.

In some embodiments, the apparatus might further comprise one or moreInternet of Things (“IoT”)-capable sensor devices disposed within thehousing. The one or more IoT-capable sensor devices might each compriseone or more first sensors; one or more first transceivers; at least onefirst processor; and a first non-transitory computer readable mediumcommunicatively coupled to the at least one first processor. The firstnon-transitory computer readable medium might have stored thereoncomputer software comprising a first set of instructions that, whenexecuted by the at least one first processor, causes the IoT-capablesensor device to: monitor, using the one or more first sensors, one ormore environmental conditions within the apparatus and external to theapparatus; determine whether one or more sensor data corresponding tothe monitored one or more environmental conditions exceed one or morecorresponding predetermined thresholds; and, based on a determinationthat the one or more sensor data corresponding to the monitored one ormore environmental conditions exceed one or more correspondingpredetermined thresholds, autonomously send, with the one or more firsttransceivers and via machine-to-machine communications, the one or moresensor data to one or more nodes. In some cases, the one or moreIoT-capable sensor devices might comprise at least one of one or moretemperature sensors, one or more humidity sensors, one or moreaccelerometers, one or more vibration sensors, one or more chemicaldetectors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more weather sensors,one or more wind sensors, one or more moisture sensors, or one or moreseismic sensors, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, the signal distribution system mightcomprise the wireless transceiver; at least one second processor; and asecond non-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupledto the at least one second processor. The second non-transitory computerreadable medium might have stored thereon computer software comprising asecond set of instructions that, when executed by the at least onesecond processor, causes the signal distribution system to: receive afirst communications signal; and send, using the wireless transceiver,the first communications signal to the one or more devices external tothe housing via the one or more wireless communications channels. Insome instances, the second set of instructions, when executed by the atleast one second processor, might further cause the signal distributionsystem to: configure the at least one of the one or more first antennasdisposed within the housing or the one or more second antennas embeddedin the housing material of the housing to direct the firstcommunications signal along one or more directions in order to send thefirst communications signal to the one or more devices.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodimentsdiscussed without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combination of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the above described features.

Specific Exemplary Embodiments

We now turn to the embodiments as illustrated by the drawings. FIGS. 1-8illustrate some of the features of the method, system, and apparatus forimplementing telecommunications signal relays, and, more particularly,to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing telecommunicationssignal relays using radiating closures that are at least one of aerialradiating closures, below grade radiating closures, and/or buriedradiating closures, as referred to above. The methods, systems, andapparatuses illustrated by FIGS. 1-8 refer to examples of differentembodiments that include various components and steps, which can beconsidered alternatives or which can be used in conjunction with oneanother in the various embodiments. The description of the illustratedmethods, systems, and apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-8 is provided forpurposes of illustration and should not be considered to limit the scopeof the different embodiments.

Throughout these embodiments, wireless access points—such as onesoperating under any of the IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af standardsdiscussed above, and described in detail in the '034, '574, '691, '676,'216, and '665 Applications, which are already incorporated herein byreference in their entirety—may be implemented in any of ground-basedsignal distribution devices (including, without limitation, the FDH, theNAPs, the handholes, the NIDs, the ONTs, and/or the like), in belowgrade implementations (including, but not limited to, a closure orcontainer that is disposed in a man hole or hand hole, mostly surroundedby air and other closures, or the like), or in aerial implementations(including, without limitation, an aerial closure orcontainer—including, but not limited to the SLIC™ line of aerialclosures by 3M™, or any suitable container that can be suspended in theair (e.g., by wires, cables, support lines, utility poles, and/or thelike)). In some embodiments, wireless access points may be disposedwithin compact devices that are disposed within apical conduit channels,at the top of apical conduit channels, or near the top of apical conduitchannels, as described in detail in the '574 Application. In some cases,some or all of these wireless access points may be powered by powerlines that are disposed along with the signal lines or fiber lineswithin the apical conduit system, and such powering of wireless accesspoints is described in detail in the '691 and '676 Applications, alreadyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The wireless accesspoints may be part of small cells, micro cells, femto cells, pico cells,and/or the like, as appropriate or desired.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagramillustrating a system 100 for implementing distributed broadbandwireless implementation in premises electrical devices, in accordancewith various embodiments.

In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1, system 100 might comprise aradiating closure 105, a signal distribution system 110, a wirelesstransceiver 115, an antenna(s) 120, an Internet of Things (“IoT”) sensordevice(s) 125 (optional), a power supply 130, a network node 135 (whichmight include, without limitation, a central office (“CO”), a servicenode or service provider node, a base unit, a wireless base station,and/or the like), and one or more devices 160 a-160 n (collectively,“devices 160” or the like). In some embodiments, the signal distributionsystem 110, which might comprise the wireless transceiver 115, might bedisposed within the radiating closure 105. Also disposed within theradiating closure 105 might be the antenna(s) 120, and, according tosome embodiments, one or more IoT sensor devices 125. According to someembodiments, the radiating closure 105 might form (or might be) acontainer or might form (or might be) a lid of a container. In someembodiments, the radiating closure 105 might be one of an aerialradiating closure, a below grade radiating closure, or a buriedradiating closure, and/or the like. Herein, an aerial radiating closuremight refer to an aerial closure or container—including, but not limitedto the SLIC™ line of aerial closures by 3M™, or any suitable containerthat can be suspended in the air (e.g., by wires, cables, support lines,utility poles, and/or the like)—that can be either lined on an innersurface with antennas and/or hold antennas, cables, and/or othercommunications equipment, or the like. Herein also, a below graderadiating closure might refer to a closure or container that is disposedin a man hole or hand hole, mostly surrounded by air and other closures,while a buried or direct buried radiating closure might refer to aclosure or container that is surrounded by earth.

Merely by way of example, in some aspects, the antenna(s) 120 mightinclude, without limitation, at least one of a plurality of lateralpatch antennas, a plurality of arrays of patch antennas, one or moremicro-strip patch antennas, a two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguideantenna, or a three-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/orthe like. In some instances, one or more of the at least one of theplurality of lateral patch antennas, the plurality of arrays of patchantennas, the one or more micro-strip patch antennas, thetwo-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or the three-dimensional(“3D”) array of antenna elements comprise flexible material that allowsthe one or more of the at least one of the plurality of lateral patchantennas, the plurality of arrays of patch antennas, the one or moremicro-strip patch antennas, the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguideantenna, or the three-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements to bebent while being disposed within a housing of the radiating closure 105.In some cases, at least one of the antenna(s) 120 might include at leastone active antenna element. According to embodiments, the antenna(s) 120might each transmit and receive wireless broadband signals according toa set of protocols comprising at least one of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ad, orIEEE 802.11af, and/or the like. Alternatively, or additionally, theantenna(s) 120 might each transmit and receive wireless broadbandsignals according to a set of protocols comprising at least one ofUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”), Code DivisionMultiple Access (“CDMA”), Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”), GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (“GSM”), Long Term Evolution (“LTE”),Personal Communications Service (“PCS”), Advanced Wireless Services(“AWS”), Emergency Alert System (“EAS”), Citizens Band Radio Service(“CBRS”), or Broadband Radio Service (“BRS”), and/or the like.

In some embodiments, system 100 might further comprise one or moreservers 140 (optional; also referred to as “service provider servers140,” “network servers 140,” “servers 140,” or the like), one or moredatabases 145 (optional) that are associated with the one or moreservers 140, one or more networks 150, and one or moretelecommunications relay systems 155, and/or the like. System 100 mightfurther comprise one or more customer premises 165 a-165 n(collectively, “customer premises 165,” “premises 165,” locations 165,”or the like), one or more devices 170 a-170 n (collectively, “devices170,” “premises devices 170,” “indoor devices 170,” or “indoor premisesdevices 170,” or the like), one or more wireless distribution devices175 a-175 n (collectively, “wireless distribution devices 175,” “devices175,” or the like), and/or the like. The devices 170 and the wirelessdistribution devices 175 might be disposed or located within one or moreof the customer premises 165 a-165 n, while the devices 160 might bedisposed or located outside or external to any of the customer premises165 a-165 n.

The wireless transceiver 115 might relay communication signals between aservice provider access point (including, but not limited to, CO 135 aor service node or base 135 b, or the like) and at least one of the oneor more devices 160 a-160 b or the one or more devices 170 a-170 n, orthe like, in some cases via the antenna(s) 120. In some cases, theservice provider access point might communicatively couple with the oneor more servers 140 (and associated databases 145) via the network(s)150 (and in some cases, via the one or more telecommunications relaysystems 155, which might include, without limitation, one or morewireless network interfaces (e.g., wireless modems, wireless accesspoints, and the like), one or more towers, one or more satellites,and/or the like). The server(s) 140 and/or the network(s) 150 (e.g., theInternet or the like) might exchange data (including, but not limitedto, media content, information, VoIP communications, messagingcommunications (e.g., e-mail messages, short message service (“SMS”)messages, chat messages, multimedia messaging service (“MMS”) messages,and/or the like), any other data, etc.) with the at least one of the oneor more devices 160 a-160 b or the one or more devices 170 a-170 n, orthe like, via the wireless transceiver 115 of the signal distributionsystem 110, and in some cases, also via wireless distribution devices175 or the like. According to some embodiments, wireless distributiondevices 175 in one customer premises 165 might relay wirelesscommunications from one to other wireless distribution devices 175 inother customer premises 165. For example, the radiating closure 105might be located near device 170 a, which is located on customerpremises 165 a, but might be somewhat distant (or perhaps out ofwireless range with respect to customer premises 165 n). In such a case,the wireless distribution device 175 a that is located on customerpremises 165 a might relay the wireless communications to user device170 n in customer premises 165 n, via wireless distribution device 175 a(located in customer premises 165 a) and via wireless distributiondevice 175 n (located in customer premises 165 n) (and via anyintermediate wireless distribution devices 175 that are located inintermediate customer premises 165 between customer premises 165 a and165 n). In this manner, the wireless distribution devices 175 mightrelay using any suitable number of hops to connect any user device 170or other devices that are perhaps not within wireless range of theradiating closure 105. Alternatively, or additionally, user device 170or other devices might be within wireless range of the radiating closure105 or some other wireless router or node, but the signal from thesesources might be weak (or bandwidth might otherwise be low), in whichcase, the multiple hops via the wireless distribution devices 175 mightsupplement the wireless signal so as to boost bandwidth or networkspeed, or the like.

In operation, according to some embodiments, the signal distributionsystem 110, which might be disposed within the radiating closure 105,might receive a first communications signal. In some cases, receivingthe first communications signal might comprise receiving, with thesignal distribution system 110, the first communications signal via oneor more signal lines entering the radiating closure through one or morepass-throughs in at least one wall of the radiating closure. The one ormore signal lines, in some instances, might include, without limitation,at least one of one or more telecommunications lines, one or morebroadband-over-power signal lines, one or more copper cable lines, oneor more optical fiber lines, or one or more coaxial cable lines, and/orthe like. The wireless transceiver 115 of the signal distribution system110 might send the first communications signal, via one or more wirelesscommunications channels, to one or more devices 160 a-160 n that areexternal to the radiating closure 105 (and, in some cases, to userdevices 170 a-170 n as well, the user devices 170 a-170 n being disposedor located within customer premises 165 a-165 n). In some embodiments,the antenna(s) 120—which might comprise at least one of one or morefirst antennas disposed within the radiating closure (as shown anddescribed below with respect to FIG. 2) or one or more second antennasembedded in a housing material of the radiating closure (as shown anddescribed below with respect to FIG. 3), or a combination of thetwo—might direct the first communications signal that is sent, via theone or more wireless communications channels, from the wirelesstransceiver 115 to the one or more devices 160 a-160 n (and/or userdevices 170 a-170 n), in some cases, directing the first communicationssignal in multiple different directions (either two or more discretelydifferent directions or in all directions (i.e., radiating radiallyoutward in three-dimensions, similar, but not limited, to radiating froma sphere or radiating from some other three-dimensional object, or thelike)).

In some embodiments, the radiating closure 105 might have disposedtherein one or more IoT sensor devices 125 (optional), which mightmonitor one or more environmental conditions within the radiatingclosure and external to the radiating closure. The one or moreenvironmental conditions being monitored might include, but are notlimited to, at least one of temperature, humidity, movement, vibration,presence of particular chemicals, pressure (both atmospheric andphysical), weather, wind conditions, moisture, or seismic activity,and/or the like, using corresponding one or more of the followingsensors: at least one of one or more temperature sensors, one or morehumidity sensors, one or more accelerometers, one or more vibrationsensors, one or more chemical detectors, one or more pressure sensors,one or more weather sensors, one or more wind sensors, one or moremoisture sensors, or one or more seismic sensors, and/or the like. Theone or more IoT-capable sensor devices 125 might, in some cases,determine whether one or more sensor data corresponding to the monitoredone or more environmental conditions exceed one or more correspondingpredetermined thresholds. If so, the one or more IoT-capable sensordevices might autonomously send, via machine-to-machine communications,the one or more sensor data to one or more network nodes 135. Accordingto some embodiments, the one or more IoT-capable sensor devices mightalternatively or additionally autonomously send, via machine-to-machinecommunications, the one or more sensor data to at least one of the oneor more devices 160 a-160 n and/or user devices 170 a-170 n.

In general, the radiating closure 120 might be used to host the radio(e.g., wireless transceiver 115 or the like) and antennas 120. Someimplementations might include, without limitation, using one radiatingclosure 105 to contain the antennas 120, using an additional radiatingclosure 120 to contain only antennas 120 and the radio (as well asadditional room or space for extra closure space or the like), adding aterminal-shaped type of antenna, using a radiating closure 105 (such asa regular SLIC™ aerial terminal or the like to house one or more largerantennas 120, in addition to the terminal opening providing optionaladditional access to the radios and other flat-larger antennas (such asshown and described below with respect to FIG. 4A, or the like), and/orthe like. In some cases, microstrip patch antennas might be a perfectfit for the design as such antennas can be wrapped around and insertedin the radiating closure 105 (such as shown and described below withrespect to FIG. 4B, or the like). Although microstrip patch antennas asmentioned above, the various embodiments are not so limited, and anysuitable type of antenna may be used (for example, but not limited to,those as shown and described below with respect to FIGS. 4A-4D and 5A-5Kor the like), including passive arrays (where amplitude and/or phase, orsimply signal preconditioning, might perform most of the beam forming orsteering, or the like) and active arrays (where amplifiers on individualelements might perform the beam forming or steering, or the like).

Another important aspect of the various embodiments is that linepowering or power lines may be available in the radiating closures orterminals 105. Backhaul communication lines may also be present. Thegeneral approach may be to use any frequencies commonly used for fixedand mobile wireless access, including, but not limited to, CDMA and LTEin all 3G and 4G bands, WiFi and its evolutions in unlicensed bands,Internet of Things (“IoT”) classic frequencies and standards (like LoRa,6LowPAN, and/or the like), etc, as well as those frequencies associatedwith the various communications protocols described above.

With respect to the aerial case or closure, these either may be lineswith antennas inside the closure or may have a housing or shell that isembedded with antennas. In some cases, the aerial closure might be madeof a hollow plastic shell. At most frequencies, the manufacturingplastics might have electric permittivities close to one, and might benearly transparent to RF waves, so they would make an ideal materialsupport for class antenna designs or the like. Regarding below grade anddirect buried cases, there are two distinct approaches to adapt wirelesscommunications to these types of closures. The first is to use lowspectrum that propagates well through the ground, while the second is toincrease the number of elements to obtain much higher gains. Both applywell to the various embodiments of the radiating closure.

Generally speaking, a wide range of useful spectra is relevant both tobelow ground implementations as well as aerial implementations,including, without limitation, WiFi frequencies (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz,etc.), cellular frequencies (e.g., cellular, PCS, AWS, WBS, EBS/BRS,CBRS, etc.). In some embodiments, closure antenna designs might includeantenna elements all around, and may focus on two slightly differentapproaches depending on spectrum (as discussed above).

Regarding the use of lower spectrum, ideal candidates of the spectrumfor below ground implementations might include, but are not limited to,TVWS (e.g., UHF, VHF, etc.), 600 MHz, 700 MHz, and some unlicensedfrequencies—including low frequencies such as IoT slivers of spectrum at300-400 MHz, 900 MHz unlicensed, etc.—, and/or the like. In general,below grade and direct buried closures can be larger, and good antennadesign sizes can be supported. In some cases, some closures might bemetallic (such as the stainless steel closures like the Armadillo byPreformed, or the like). The metallic shell of the closure can be usedas the ground plane that is often needed for patch antenna designs orthe like.

Regarding the use of higher gain at higher spectrum, the alternative tothe low spectrum approach is to multiply antenna elements to obtainhigher gain. For example, typical rectangular patch antennas, forinstance, can achieve gains of 6 to 9 dBi, on a size of aroundλ_(eff)/2=λε_(r)/2. The relative permittivity ε_(r) of the substratevaries, from 1 with air patches to 2 to 10 or even 20 depending onsubstrate types and properties. In addition, some room is required forfeed lines, and for separation from other neighboring patches, so atypical separation is commonly accepted around λ_(eff). At highfrequency, that distance can be small—e.g., smaller than 5 mm (for f>30GHz, and ε_(r)>2). As a result, a 5×5 cm square, for instance, can host100 patches, which can produce a beam combining gain on the order of 18dBi higher; in some cases, doubling the number of patches can producegain increase of ˜3 dB. Further, more patches around the closure canproduce more beams in different directions. In addition, combining thepatches—some for beam gain, some for different beam directions canproduce a very versatile, very powerful antenna capable of beamsteering, beam forming, and MU-MIMO in many directions—either asrequired by fixed wireless access, or for mobile applications, or thelike.

With respect to the use of IoT sensors within the radiating closures,many IoT sensor types that are currently available are relatively low incost, which allows freedom in terms of implementation, especially withexpanded use of IoT sensors and IoT sensor devices within multipleradiating closures within a population area. In aerial closures, forexample, temperature, humidity, acceleration/motion, and/or the like maybe monitored using such IoT sensors, with proper or appropriate alarmsbeing triggered when the sensors detect anything exceptional in terms ofwind, solar, weather, and/or the like that can cause outages or thelike. In below ground closures, for instance, vibration, certainchemical presence, humidity/moisture, pressure (e.g., beyond crushpressure that is rated for that closure, etc.), and/or the like may bemonitored using such IoT sensors, proper or appropriate alarms beingtriggered when the sensors sense levels beyond associated thresholds(that may be predetermined for the particular type of sensor) to detectpossible or impending outage risks or the like.

These and other functions of the system 100 (and its components) aredescribed in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 2-6.

FIGS. 2A-2D (collectively, “FIG. 2”) are schematic diagrams illustratingvarious embodiments 200, 200′, 200″, and 200′″ of a radiating closurethat may be used for implementing telecommunications signal relays.

With reference to the non-limiting embodiment 200 of FIG. 2A, radiatingclosure 205 a might comprise a signal distribution system 210 a, whichmight comprise a wireless transceiver 215. Radiating closure 205 a mightfurther comprise one or more antennas 220 that are disposed or placedwithin the radiating closure 205 a (i.e., in an interior space of theradiating closure 205 a). Radiating closure 205 a might further compriseone or more IoT sensor devices 225. The wireless transceiver 215 mightbe communicatively coupled (either via wired communication or viawireless communication when the wireless transceiver wirelessly sends asignal, or the like) to the one or more antennas 220. The one or moreIoT sensor devices 225 might similarly be communicatively coupled(either via wired communication or via wireless communication when thewireless transceiver wirelessly sends an IoT machine-to-machine signal,or the like) to the one or more antennas 220. The one or more antennas220 then might direct the signals to devices external to the radiatingclosure 205 a, in some cases, in multiple different directions or thelike.

The radiating closure 205 a, the signal distribution system 210 a, thewireless transceiver 215, the one or more antennas 220, and the one ormore IoT sensor devices 225 of embodiment 200 of FIG. 2A might besimilar, if not identical, to the radiating closure 105, the signaldistribution system 110, the wireless transceiver 115, the antenna(s)120, and the IoT sensor device(s) 125 of system 100 of FIG. 1, and thedescriptions of these components of system 100 of FIG. 1 are applicableto the corresponding components of embodiment 200 of FIG. 2A,respectively.

The non-limiting embodiment 200′ of FIG. 2B is similar, if notidentical, to the embodiment 200 of FIG. 2A, except that the radiatingclosure 205 b does not contain any IoT sensor devices. The radiatingclosure 205 b, the signal distribution system 210 a, the wirelesstransceiver 215, and the one or more antennas 220 of embodiment 200′ ofFIG. 2B might be similar, if not identical, to the radiating closure105, the signal distribution system 110, the wireless transceiver 115,and the antenna(s) 120 of system 100 of FIG. 1, and the descriptions ofthese components of system 100 of FIG. 1 are applicable to thecorresponding components of embodiment 200′ of FIG. 2B, respectively.

The non-limiting embodiment 200″ of FIG. 2C is similar, if notidentical, to the embodiment 200 of FIG. 2A, except that the signaldistribution system 210 b further comprises one or more processors 230and a storage medium 235 on which might be stored computer software orcode that, when executed by the one or more processors 230, causes thesignal distribution system 210 b to perform the functions described indetail above with respect to signal distribution 110 of system 100 ofFIG. 1. In some embodiments, the one or more processors 230 might alsosend control signals to the one or more antennas 220 to dynamicallyadjust, modify, or change the phase and gain of each antenna element inthe one or more antennas 220 to create different antenna needs asrequired, including, but not limited to, beamforming or beam steering inorder to maximize transmission in one direction, or more generally forMIMO, and/or the like. The radiating closure 205 c, the signaldistribution system 210 b, the wireless transceiver 215, the one or moreantennas 220, and the one or more IoT sensor devices 225 of embodiment200″ of FIG. 2C might be similar, if not identical, to the radiatingclosure 105, the signal distribution system 110, the wirelesstransceiver 115, the antenna(s) 120, and the IoT sensor device(s) 125 ofsystem 100 of FIG. 1, and the descriptions of these components of system100 of FIG. 1 are applicable to the corresponding components ofembodiment 200″ of FIG. 2C, respectively.

The non-limiting embodiment 200″ of FIG. 2D is similar, if notidentical, to the embodiment 200′ of FIG. 2B, except that the signaldistribution system 210 b further comprises one or more processors 230and a storage medium 235 on which might be stored computer software orcode that, when executed by the one or more processors 230, causes thesignal distribution system 210 b to perform the functions described indetail above with respect to signal distribution 110 of system 100 ofFIG. 1. In some embodiments, as in the embodiment 200″, the one or moreprocessors 230 might also send control signals to the one or moreantennas 220 to dynamically adjust, modify, or change the phase and gainof each antenna element in the one or more antennas 220 to createdifferent antenna needs as required, including, but not limited to,beamforming or beam steering in order to maximize transmission in onedirection, or more generally for MIMO, and/or the like. The radiatingclosure 205 d, the signal distribution system 210 b, the wirelesstransceiver 215, and the one or more antennas 220 of embodiment 200′″ ofFIG. 2D might be similar, if not identical, to the radiating closure105, the signal distribution system 110, the wireless transceiver 115,and the antenna(s) 120 of system 100 of FIG. 1, and the descriptions ofthese components of system 100 of FIG. 1 are applicable to thecorresponding components of embodiment 200′″ of FIG. 2D, respectively.

FIGS. 3A-3D (collectively, “FIG. 3”) are schematic diagrams illustratingvarious embodiments 300, 300′, 300″, and 300′″ of a radiating closurehaving embedded antennas within a housing thereof that may be used forimplementing telecommunications signal relays.

With reference to the non-limiting embodiment 300 of FIG. 3A, radiatingclosure 305 a might comprise a signal distribution system 310 a, whichmight comprise a wireless transceiver 315. Radiating closure 305 a mightfurther comprise one or more antennas 320 that are disposed or placedwithin the radiating closure 305 a (i.e., in an interior space of theradiating closure 305 a) (optional). Radiating closure 305 a mightfurther comprise one or more IoT sensor devices 325. Radiating closure305 a might further comprise a housing 340 in which one or more secondantennas might be embedded (or might otherwise be formed within thehousing 340). The wireless transceiver 315 might be communicativelycoupled (either via wired communication or via wireless communicationwhen the wireless transceiver wirelessly sends a signal, or the like) tothe embedded second antennas (and, in some cases, to the one or moreantennas 320 as well). The one or more IoT sensor devices 325 mightsimilarly be communicatively coupled (either via wired communication orvia wireless communication when the wireless transceiver wirelesslysends an IoT machine-to-machine signal, or the like) to the embeddedsecond antennas (and, in some cases, to the one or more antennas 320 aswell). The embedded second antennas (and/or to the one or more antennas320) then might direct the signals to devices external to the radiatingclosure 305 a, in some cases, in multiple different directions or thelike.

The radiating closure 305 a, the signal distribution system 310 a, thewireless transceiver 315, the one or more antennas 320 and/or theembedded second antennas in housing 340, and the one or more IoT sensordevices 325 of embodiment 300 of FIG. 3A might be similar, if notidentical, to the radiating closure 105, the signal distribution system110, the wireless transceiver 115, the antenna(s) 120, and the IoTsensor device(s) 125 of system 100 of FIG. 1, and the descriptions ofthese components of system 100 of FIG. 1 are applicable to thecorresponding components of embodiment 300 of FIG. 3A, respectively.

The non-limiting embodiment 300′ of FIG. 3B is similar, if notidentical, to the embodiment 300 of FIG. 3A, except that the radiatingclosure 305 b does not contain any IoT sensor devices. The radiatingclosure 305 b, the signal distribution system 310 a, the wirelesstransceiver 315, and the one or more antennas 320 and/or the embeddedsecond antennas in housing 340 of embodiment 300′ of FIG. 3B might besimilar, if not identical, to the radiating closure 105, the signaldistribution system 110, the wireless transceiver 115, and theantenna(s) 120 of system 100 of FIG. 1, and the descriptions of thesecomponents of system 100 of FIG. 1 are applicable to the correspondingcomponents of embodiment 300′ of FIG. 3B, respectively.

The non-limiting embodiment 300″ of FIG. 3C is similar, if notidentical, to the embodiment 300 of FIG. 3A, except that the signaldistribution system 310 b further comprises one or more processors 330and a storage medium 335 on which might be stored computer software orcode that, when executed by the one or more processors 330, causes thesignal distribution system 310 b to perform the functions described indetail above with respect to signal distribution 110 of system 100 ofFIG. 1. In some embodiments, the one or more processors 330 might alsosend control signals to the one or more antennas 320 to dynamicallyadjust, modify, or change the phase and gain of each antenna element inthe one or more antennas 320 to create different antenna needs asrequired, including, but not limited to, beamforming or beam steering inorder to maximize transmission in one direction, or more generally forMIMO, and/or the like. The radiating closure 305 c, the signaldistribution system 310 b, the wireless transceiver 315, the one or moreantennas 320 and/or the embedded second antennas in housing 340, and theone or more IoT sensor devices 325 of embodiment 300″ of FIG. 3C mightbe similar, if not identical, to the radiating closure 105, the signaldistribution system 110, the wireless transceiver 115, the antenna(s)120, and the IoT sensor device(s) 125 of system 100 of FIG. 1, and thedescriptions of these components of system 100 of FIG. 1 are applicableto the corresponding components of embodiment 300″ of FIG. 3C,respectively.

The non-limiting embodiment 300′″ of FIG. 3D is similar, if notidentical, to the embodiment 300′ of FIG. 3B, except that the signaldistribution system 310 b further comprises one or more processors 330and a storage medium 335 on which might be stored computer software orcode that, when executed by the one or more processors 330, causes thesignal distribution system 310 b to perform the functions described indetail above with respect to signal distribution 110 of system 100 ofFIG. 1. In some embodiments, as in embodiment 300″, the one or moreprocessors 330 might also send control signals to the one or moreantennas 320 to dynamically adjust, modify, or change the phase and gainof each antenna element in the one or more antennas 320 to createdifferent antenna needs as required, including, but not limited to,beamforming or beam steering in order to maximize transmission in onedirection, or more generally for MIMO, and/or the like. The radiatingclosure 305 d, the signal distribution system 310 b, the wirelesstransceiver 315, and the one or more antennas 320 and/or the embeddedsecond antennas in housing 340 of embodiment 300′″ of FIG. 3D might besimilar, if not identical, to the radiating closure 105, the signaldistribution system 110, the wireless transceiver 115, and theantenna(s) 120 of system 100 of FIG. 1, and the descriptions of thesecomponents of system 100 of FIG. 1 are applicable to the correspondingcomponents of embodiment 300′″ of FIG. 3D, respectively.

FIGS. 4A-4D (collectively, “FIG. 4”) are general schematic diagramsillustrating various embodiments 400, 400′, and 400″ of two- andthree-dimensional antenna arrays, systems, or designs that may be usedin the radiating closure for implementing telecommunications signalrelays. FIGS. 4A and 4B are general schematic diagrams illustratingexemplary two-dimensional antenna systems or antenna designs, whileFIGS. 4C and 4D are general schematic diagrams illustrating an exemplarythree-dimensional antenna system or antenna design.

Some access points (“APs”) have very small antennas, directly on acircuit board (not shown). These are essentially microstrip patchantennas (similar to the lateral patch antennas as described below withrespect to FIGS. 5A-5D), which are a classic, well-known type of antennathat usually comprises a ground plate, a dielectric substrate, and a topconducting layer made of patches of various shapes (including, but notlimited to, rectangular, circular, or other radiating element shapes)and feed-lines. The top layer is initially a conducting plane, and isetched to produce whatever design is printed on it.

Some APs have more elaborate antennas, and are still imbedded in acircuit board, but allow for many more elements—some horizontal, somevertical—for beamforming, smart antennas, multiple-input multiple-output(“MIMO”), and/or the like. The more elements, the more antenna patternscan be modified as needed in order to create antenna gain maxima in adirection needed for propagation and/or minima in a direction where aninterference is detected.

Antenna patterns are made of combinations of many radiators calledantenna elements. Each antenna element is fed by some type oftransmission line (including, without limitation, co-axial line, printedcircuit board parallel waveguide, etc.). The phase and amplitude ofthese feeding lines of the many antenna elements combine into a mainbeam. This combination can be static, in order to design a certainantenna or a given gain, beamwidth, etc. More recently, smart antennasadd dynamic aspects, so the phase and gain of each element can bechanged to create different antenna needs as required, including, butnot limited to, beamforming or beam steering in order to maximizetransmission in one direction, or more generally for MIMO. Classicantenna theory designs may be employed to combine all these elements.

Active antenna elements may be fed by feed line signals and may radiateinto the air to transmit—and conversely to capture energy from the airand focus it into the feed lines to receive—signals. There is afundamental reciprocity theorem of electromagnetic signals, so transmitand receive antenna designs are the same—some antennas can be used forboth (i.e., duplex mode), while others are used only for direction(i.e., simplex mode), depending on design.

In addition to active antenna elements, there are passive elements usedto modify the radiation pattern. Such passive elements are calleddirectors or reflectors. They consist of dipoles (e.g., rods), patches,plates, or the like, of metal or dielectric materials. Usually, largeelements placed behind an active element mostly reflect signals, and arecalled reflectors. Smaller elements placed at appropriate places infront of the active elements are called directors, and they focus theradiated energy a certain way. Multi-antenna systems like that can bepassive, where phase can be changed with feed line delays, attenuators,and/or the like. More elaborate (i.e., smart antennas or smart arrays)use active devices that can even amplify signals to some elements.

With reference to the non-limiting embodiment 400 of FIG. 4A, an antenna405 might comprise an array of antennas 410 a that are connected tocommon microstrips 410 b. In some cases, the array of antennas 410 amight be an array of lateral patch antennas. In the non-limitingembodiment 400, the array of antennas 410 a might comprise four sets offour antennas 410 a, each set connected via microstrips 410 b to anadjacent set, with pairs of sets of antennas connected via microstrips410 b, and so on. Each antenna 410 a might have a shape, size, andconfiguration relative to adjacent antennas (or relative to the otherantennas in the array) designed to transmit and receive signals at adesired frequency selected from a group of frequencies associated withone or more of the following protocols: IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ad, or IEEE 802.1af,and/or the like; Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”),Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”), Time Division Multiple Access(“TDMA”), Global System for Mobile Communication (“GSM”), Long TermEvolution (“LTE”), Personal Communications Service (“PCS”), AdvancedWireless Services (“AWS”), Emergency Alert System (“EAS”), Citizens BandRadio Service (“CBRS”), or Broadband Radio Service (“BRS”), and/or thelike; etc.

Although FIG. 4A depicts an array of 16 antennas 410 a in sets of fourthat are connected via the microstrips 410 b, and in the configuration,as shown, the various embodiments are not so limited, and the array ofantennas may be made up of any suitable number of antennas in anysuitable grouping, arrangement, and configuration as needed or asdesired, with each antenna being of any suitable shape, size, andorientation relative to adjacent antennas (or relative to the otherantennas in the array) as needed or as desired. In some instances, theantenna 405 might be a flat antenna or might have a substrate or supportthat is sufficiently thin or flexible to bend, similar to the antenna415 as shown and described below with respect to FIG. 4B.

Turning to the non-limiting embodiment 400′ of FIG. 4B, antenna 415might comprise an array of antennas 420 (which might, in some cases, beconnected via microstrips or the like, as shown and described above withrespect to FIG. 4A). As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the antenna 415 mighthave a substrate or base material (as well as antenna materials,microstrip materials, etc.) that is either sufficient thin and/orsufficiently flexible in order for the antenna 415 to be bent. In thismanner, the antenna 415 may be bent in order to fit within a circular,cylindrical, or otherwise curved container or radiating closure, and/orin order to provide desired curved propagation characteristics, or thelike.

Antenna 415 and the array of antennas 420 of embodiment 400′ of FIG. 4Bare otherwise similar, if not identical, to antenna 405 and the array ofantennas 410 a of embodiment 400 of FIG. 4A, respectively, and thedescriptions of these components of embodiment 400 are applicable to thecorresponding components of embodiment 400′, respectively.

FIGS. 4C and 4D depict an embodiment 400″ of an antenna 425 comprising aplurality of antenna elements. In some embodiments, at least one set ofantenna elements are active elements that vary feeds to differentelements for beam forming, MIMO, and/or the like. Antenna 425, in somecases, might comprise a main circuit board 430 comprising a number ofantenna elements. Antenna 425 might also comprise an automatic signaloptimizer 435, which might modify radio frequency (“rf”) transmissionsbased on the orientation of the access point device. Antenna 425 mightfurther comprise a plurality of first components 440 and a plurality ofsecond components 445, the first and second components being ofdifferent size, each of the first and second components 440 and 445comprising vertically polarized antenna elements 440 a and 445 a,respectively. With reference to FIG. 4D, which is a top plan view of theview shown in FIG. 4C (as shown along the A-A direction in FIG. 4C), themain circuit board 430 might comprise a plurality of third components450 comprising an array of horizontally polarized antenna elements. Theantenna 425, in some embodiments, can integrate high-gain, directionalantenna elements (including, but not limited to, the horizontally andvertically polarized antenna elements) to deliver increased signal gaincompared to conventional antennas that have only one of horizontallypolarized antenna elements or vertically polarized antenna elements. Insome cases, antenna 425 might further comprise a plurality of alignmentor mounting holes 455 that allow the antenna 425 to be aligned andmounted into suitable positions within a container or radiating closure,or the like. Antennas such as antenna 425 may be available from RuckusWireless, inc. or the like.

For embodiments 400, 400′, and 400″, antenna separation between adjacentantennas in each array are typically half-lambda separation or λ/2separation (where lambda or λ might refer to the wavelength of the rfsignal(s)). This allows for some intertwining between patches,particular, intertwining between patches of two or more different arraysof patches. In some embodiments feed lines to the multiple arrays can beseparate, or may be combined for dual-/multi-mode devices. The largernumber of antenna or antenna elements allow for higher gain to beobtained. For example, typical rectangular patch antennas, for instance,can achieve gains of 6 to 9 dBi, on a size of around λ_(eff)/2=ε_(r)/2.The relative permittivity ε_(r) of the substrate varies, from 1 with airpatches to 2 to 10 or even 20 depending on substrate types andproperties. In addition, some room is required for feed lines, and forseparation from other neighboring patches, so a typical separation iscommonly accepted around λ_(eff). At high frequency, that distance canbe small—e.g., smaller than 5 mm (for f>30 GHz, and ε_(r)>2). As aresult, a 5×5 cm square, for instance, can host 100 patches, which canproduce a beam combining gain on the order of 18 dBi higher; in somecases, doubling the number of patches can produce gain increase of ˜3dB. Further, more patches around the closure can produce more beams indifferent directions. In addition, combining the patches—some for beamgain, some for different beam directions can produce a very versatile,very powerful antenna capable of beam steering, beam forming, andMU-MIMO in many directions—either as required by fixed wireless access,or for mobile applications, or the like.

FIGS. 5A-5K (collectively, “FIG. 5”) are general schematic diagramsillustrating various embodiments 500, 500′, 500″, 500′″, and 500″ ″ ofantennas or antenna designs that may be used in the radiating closurefor implementing telecommunications signal relays, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

In particular, FIGS. 5A-5D show various embodiments 500 and 500′ oflateral patch antennas (or arrays of lateral patch antennas), whileFIGS. 5E-5H show various embodiments 500″ and 500′″ of leaky waveguideantennas (also referred to as “planar antennas,” “planar waveguideantennas,” “leaky planar waveguide antennas,” or “2D leaky waveguideantennas,” and/or the like). FIGS. 5I-5K show various embodiments 500″ ″of reversed F antennas or planar inverted F antennas (“PIFA”).

FIG. 5A shows antenna 505, which includes a plurality of arrays oflateral patch antennas comprising a first array 510 and a second array515. Antenna 505, in some embodiments, may correspond to antenna 245,which is part of lid 215, either disposed completely within the lid 215,disposed below (but mounted to) the lid 215, or disposed partiallywithin, and partially extending below, the lid 215 of FIG. 2 of the '460Application (which has already been incorporated herein by reference inits entirety for all purposes), or the like. In some instances, antenna505 might correspond to an antenna, which is disposed below lid 215,either disposed within container 205 (as in the embodiments of FIGS.2C-2H), disposed with a buried network access point device (as in theembodiment of FIGS. 21 and 2J), mounted within upper portion of pedestal215 (such as pedestals of the embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B), orotherwise disposed under cover 215 (as in the embodiment of FIG. 2F, 2H,2K-2M) of FIG. 2 of the '460 Application, or the like. Alternative tothese various embodiments of FIG. 2 of the '460 Application, the antennamay be disposed within an aerial radiating closure or in a below gradestructure, as described in detail above with respect to FIG. 1.

In the non-limiting example of FIG. 5A, the first array of lateral patchantennas 510 might comprise x number of lateral patch antennas 510 aconnected to a common microstrip 510 b (in this case, x=8). Each lateralpatch antenna 510 a has shape and size designed to transmit and receiverf signals at a frequency of about 5 GHz. At least one end of microstrip510 b communicatively couples with a first port P₁, whichcommunicatively couples, via cable distribution/splicing system 225 b(and via container 205) of FIG. 2 of the '460 Application or via signaldistribution system 110, 210, or 310 of FIGS. 1-3 above (which might bedisposed in an aerial radiating closure, a below grade radiatingclosure, or a buried radiating closure), or the like, to one or more ofthe at least one optical fiber line, the at least one conductive signalline (including, but not limited to, copper data lines, copper videolines, copper voice lines, or any suitable (non-optical fiber) datacables, (non-optical fiber) video cables, or (non-optical fiber) voicecables, and/or the like), and/or the like.

Also shown in the non-limiting example of FIG. 5A, the second array oflateral patch antennas 515 might likewise comprise y number of lateralpatch antennas 515 a connected to a common microstrip 515 b (in thiscase, y=8). In some embodiments x equals y, while in other embodiments,x might differ from y. Each lateral patch antenna 515 a has shape andsize designed to transmit and receive rf signals at a frequency of about2.4 GHz. At least one end of microstrip 515 b communicatively coupleswith a second port P₂, which communicatively couples, via cabledistribution system 225 (and via container 205) of FIG. 2 of the '460Application or via signal distribution system 110, 210, or 310 of FIGS.1-3 above (which might be disposed in an aerial radiating closure, abelow grade radiating closure, or a buried radiating closure), or thelike, to one or more of the at least one optical fiber line, the atleast one conductive signal line (including, but not limited to, copperdata lines, copper video lines, copper voice lines, or any suitable(non-optical fiber) data cables, (non-optical fiber) video cables, or(non-optical fiber) voice cables, and/or the like), and/or the like. Insome embodiments, the first port P₁ and the second port P₂ mightcommunicatively couple to the same one or more of the at least oneoptical fiber line, the at least one conductive signal line, and/or thelike, while in other embodiments, the first port P₁ and the second portP₂ might communicatively couple to different ones or more of the atleast one optical fiber line, the at least one conductive signal line,and/or the like.

Although 8 lateral patch antennas are shown for each of the first array510 or the second array 515 (i.e., x=8; y=8), any suitable number oflateral patch antennas may be utilized, so long as: each lateral patchantenna remains capable of transmitting and receiving data, video,and/or voice rf signals at desired frequencies, which include, but arenot limited to, 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and/or thelike; each lateral patch antenna has wireless broadband signaltransmission and reception characteristics in accordance with one ormore of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ad, and/or IEEE 802.11af protocols; and/or eachlateral patch antenna has wireless broadband signal transmission andreception characteristics in accordance with one or more of UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”), Code Division Multiple Access(“CDMA”), Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”), Global System forMobile Communication (“GSM”), Long Term Evolution (“LTE”), PersonalCommunications Service (“PCS”), Advanced Wireless Services (“AWS”),Emergency Alert System (“EAS”), Citizens Band Radio Service (“CBRS”), orBroadband Radio Service (“BRS”), and/or the like.

Further, although 2 arrays of patches are shown in FIG. 5A, any numberof arrays may be used, including, but not limited to, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8,or more. Each array has a feeding structure, not unlike the microstrippatch feed design shown in FIG. 5A (or in FIG. 5C). In some embodiments,multiple arrays of patches may be connected to a plurality of ports,which can be connected to a multiport Wi-Fi access, using multiple-inputand multiple-output (“MIMO”) functionality, and in some cases using IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af standards.

Patch separation between adjacent patches in each array are typicallyhalf-lambda separation or λ/2 separation (where lambda or λ might referto the wavelength of the rf signal(s)). This allows for someintertwining between patches, particular, intertwining between patchesof two or more different arrays of patches. In some embodiments feedlines to the multiple arrays can be separate, or may be combined fordual-/multi-mode devices.

In the example of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the two arrays 510 and 515 each haveits own, separate feed lines 510 b and 515 b, respectively, leading toseparate ports P₁ and P₂, respectively. FIG. 5B shows a schematicdiagram of an example of feed line configuration for the two arrays 510and 515. In particular, in FIG. 5B, each of the lateral patches 510 a ofthe first array 510 share a single feed line 510 b that lead to port P₁(or port 520). Likewise, each of the lateral patches 515 a share asingle feed line 515 b that lead to port P₂ (or port 525). Feed lines510 b and 515 b are separate from each other, as ports 520 and 525 areseparate from each other.

FIGS. 5C and 5D are similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively, exceptthat the first array 510 or the second array 515 are each configured astwo separate arrays (totaling four separate arrays in the embodiment ofFIG. 5C). In particular, in FIG. 5C, the first array 510 comprises athird array and a fourth array. The third array might comprise x′ numberof lateral patch antennas 510 a connected to a common microstrip 510 b(in this case, x′=4), while the fourth array might comprise x″ number oflateral patch antennas 510 a connected to a common microstrip 510 b (inthis case, x″=4). Although the third array and fourth array are shown tohave the same number of lateral patch antennas 510 a (i.e., x′=x″), thevarious embodiments are not so limited and each array can have differentnumbers of lateral patch antennas 510 a (i.e., can be x′≠x″). Similarly,although x′ and x″ are each shown to equal 4 in the example of FIG. 5C,any suitable number of lateral patch antennas may be used, as discussedabove with respect to the number of lateral patch antennas for eacharray.

Similarly, the second array 515 comprises a fifth array and a sixtharray. The fifth array might comprise y′ number of lateral patchantennas 515 a connected to a common microstrip 515 b (in this case,y′=4), while the sixth array might comprise y″ number of lateral patchantennas 515 a connected to a common microstrip 515 b (in this case,y″=4). Although the fifth array and sixth array are shown to have thesame number of lateral patch antennas 515 a (i.e., y′=y″), the variousembodiments are not so limited and each array can have different numbersof lateral patch antennas 515 a (i.e., can be y′≠y″). Similarly,although y′ and y″ are each shown to equal 4 the example of FIG. 5C, anysuitable number of lateral patch antennas may be used, as discussedabove with respect to the number of lateral patch antennas for eacharray.

Further, although only two sub-arrays are shown for each of the firstarray 510 and for the second array 515, any suitable number ofsub-arrays may be utilized for each of the first array 510 and for thesecond array 515, and the number of sub-arrays need not be the same forthe two arrays. In the case that antenna 505 comprises three or morearrays, any number of sub-arrays for each of the three or more arraysmay be utilized, and the number of sub-arrays may be different for eachof the three or more arrays.

Turning back to FIGS. 5C and 5D, each of the third, fourth, fifth, andsixth arrays are separately fed by separate microstrips 510 b/515 b,each communicatively coupled to separate ports, P₁-P₄, respectively.FIG. 5D shows a schematic diagram of an example of feed lineconfiguration for each of the two sub-arrays for each of the two arrays510 and 515. In particular, in FIG. 5D, each of the lateral patches 510a of the third array share a single feed line 510 b that lead to portP₁, while each of the lateral patches 510 a of the fourth array share asingle feed line 510 b that lead to port P₂. Ports P₁ and P₂ (i.e.,ports 520) may subsequently be coupled together to communicativelycouple, via cable distribution system 225 (and via container 205) ofFIG. 2 of the '460 Application or via signal distribution system 110,210, or 310 of FIGS. 1-3 above (which might be disposed in an aerialradiating closure, a below grade radiating closure, or a buriedradiating closure), or the like, to one or more of the at least oneoptical fiber line, the at least one conductive signal line (including,but not limited to, copper data lines, copper video lines, copper voicelines, or any suitable (non-optical fiber) data cables, (non-opticalfiber) video cables, or (non-optical fiber) voice cables, and/or thelike), and/or the like. Alternatively, ports P₁ and P₂ (i.e., ports 520)may each separately communicatively couple, via cable distributionsystem 225 (and via container 205) of FIG. 2 of the '460 Application orvia signal distribution system 110, 210, or 310 of FIGS. 1-3 above(which might be disposed in an aerial radiating closure, a below graderadiating closure, or a buried radiating closure), or the like, to oneor more of the at least one optical fiber line, the at least oneconductive signal line, and/or the like.

Likewise, each of the lateral patches 515 a of the fifth array share asingle feed line 515 b that lead to port P₃ (or port 525), while each ofthe lateral patches 515 a of the sixth array share a single feed line515 b that lead to port P₄. Ports P₃ and P₄ (i.e., ports 525) mayjointly or separately be communicatively coupled, via cable distributionsystem 225 (and via container 205) of FIG. 2 of the '460 Application orvia signal distribution system 110, 210, or 310 of FIGS. 1-3 above(which might be disposed in an aerial radiating closure, a below graderadiating closure, or a buried radiating closure), or the like, to oneor more of the at least one optical fiber line, the at least oneconductive signal line (including, but not limited to, copper datalines, copper video lines, copper voice lines, or any suitable(non-optical fiber) data cables, (non-optical fiber) video cables, or(non-optical fiber) voice cables, and/or the like), and/or the like.Feed lines 510 b and 515 b are separate from each other, as ports 520and 525 are separate from each other.

The embodiment 500′ of FIGS. 5C and 5D is otherwise similar, oridentical to, the embodiment 500 of FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively. Assuch, the descriptions of the embodiment 500 of FIGS. 5A and 5B similarapply to the embodiment 500′ of FIGS. 5C and 5D, respectively.

FIGS. 5E-5H show embodiments 500″ and 500′″ of leaky planar waveguideantennas 530 and 555. In FIG. 5E, antenna 530 comprises a plurality ofpatch antennas 535 disposed or fabricated on a thin dielectric substrate540. Antenna 530 further comprises a ground plane 545. In someembodiments, each of the plurality of patch antennas 535 might comprisean L-patch antenna 535 (as shown in FIG. 5F), with a planar portionsubstantially parallel with the ground plane 545 and a grounding stripthat extends through the dielectric substrate 540 to make electricalcontact with the ground plane 545 (in some cases, the grounding strip isperpendicular with respect to each of the planar portion and the groundplane 545). According to some embodiments, each of the plurality ofpatch antennas 535 might comprise a planar patch antenna 535 (i.e.,without a grounding strip connecting the planar portion with the groundplane 545). Dielectric substrate 540 is preferably made of anydielectric material, and is configured to have a dielectric constant (orrelative permittivity) ε_(r) that ranges between about 3 and 10.

FIG. 5F shows a plurality of L-patch antennas 535 each beingelectrically coupled to one of a plurality of cables 550. Although aplurality of cables 550 is shown, a single cable 550 with multiple leadsconnecting each of the plurality of L-patch antennas 535 may be used.The grounding lead for each of the plurality of cables 550 may beelectrically coupled to the ground plane 545. In the case that aplurality of cables 550 are used, the signals received by each antenna535 may be separately received and relayed to one of the at least oneoptical fiber line, the at least one conductive signal line, and/or thelike, or the received signals may be combined and/or processed using acombiner 550 a (which might include, without limitation, a signalprocessor, a multiplexer, signal combiner, and/or the like). For signaltransmission, signals from the at least one conductive signal line,and/or the like may be separately relayed to each of the antennas 535via individual cables 550, or the signals each of the at least oneconductive signal line, and/or the like can be divided using a divider550 a (which might include, but is not limited to, a signal processor, ademultiplexer, a signal divider, and/or the like) prior to individualtransmission by each of the antennas 535.

FIGS. 5G and 5H illustrate antennas without and with additional elements(including, without limitation, additional directing elements, a seconddielectric layer, optional elements atop the second dielectric layer,and/or the like), respectively, that may be added to the planarstructure to further direct antenna radiation patterns to predeterminedangles (e.g., lower or higher elevation angles, or the like). In FIG.5G, antenna 555 might comprise a patch antenna 560, which might includea planar patch antenna, an L-patch antenna, or the like. Antenna 555might further comprise a dielectric substrate 565 on which patch antenna560 might be disposed. Antenna 555 might further comprise a ground plane545. Dielectric substrate 565 and ground plane 545, in some embodiments,might be similar, or identical to, dielectric substrate 540 and groundplane 545, respectively, described above with respect to FIGS. 5E and5F, and thus the corresponding descriptions of dielectric substrate 540and ground plane 545 above apply similarly to dielectric substrate 565and ground plane 545. In some instances, the dimensions of each ofdielectric substrate 565 and ground plane 545 of FIGS. 5G-5H mightdiffer from the dimensions of each of dielectric substrate 540 andground plane 545 of FIGS. 5E-5F, respectively. In still other cases,dielectric substrate 565 and dielectric substrate 540 might differ interms of their corresponding dielectric material having differentdielectric constant (or relative permittivity) ε_(r) (although in someembodiments, the dielectric constant or relative permittivity ε_(r) ofeach of dielectric substrate 565 (ε_(r1)) and dielectric substrate 540(ε_(r)) might range between about 3 and 10).

In FIG. 5H, antenna 555 might further comprise additional elements 570,which might include, but are not limited to, additional directingelements, a second dielectric layer, optional elements atop the seconddielectric layer, and/or the like. The additional elements 570 serve tofurther direct antenna radiation patterns to predetermined angles (e.g.,lower or higher elevation angles, or the like). The additional elements570 might comprise opening 575, which might be configured to have eithera perpendicular inner wall or a tapered inner wall, in order tofacilitate focusing of the radiation patterns. In some embodiments thedielectric constant or relative permittivity ε_(r2) of additionalelements 570 is chosen to be less than the dielectric constant orrelative permittivity ε_(r1) of dielectric substrate 565. With a lowerdielectric constant or relative permittivity compared with that of thedielectric substrate 565 below it, the additional elements 570 mightfocus the radiation patterns or signals closer to the horizon.

FIGS. 5G and 5H show an antenna 555 including a single patch antenna555, which could include a planar patch antenna, an L-patch antenna, orthe like. In some instances, the single antenna 555 might be part of alarger array of antennas, while, in other cases, the single antenna 555might be a stand-alone antenna. For the purposes of illustration, only asingle antenna is shown in FIGS. 5G and 5H to simplify the descriptionthereof.

FIGS. 5I-5K show embodiments 500″ ″ of reversed F antennas or planarinverted F antennas (“PIFA”), which are typically used for wide, yetdirected antenna radiation patterns. As shown in FIG. 5I, a plurality ofPIFA elements 590 can be placed around the top (i.e., an annulus orcrown) of a pedestal or other signal distribution device, thus achievinga good omnidirectional coverage around the signal distribution device,focused at low elevation (i.e., horizon bore sight). The signaldistribution device might include, but is not limited to, one or morehand holes 115, one or more flowerpot hand holes 120, one or morepedestal platforms 125, one or more network access point (“NAP”)platforms 130 (which might be buried, as shown and described withrespect to FIG. 4 of the '460 Application), one or more fiberdistribution hub (“FDH”) platforms 135 of FIG. 1 of the '665 Application(which has already been incorporated herein by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes), and/or the like. Alternatively, the signaldistribution device might include, without limitation signaldistribution system 110, 210, or 310 of FIGS. 1-3 above (which might bedisposed in an aerial radiating closure, a below grade radiatingclosure, or a buried radiating closure), or the like. According to someembodiments, some PIFA elements can be placed inside pedestal plasticstructures.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5I, in particular, antenna 580 mightcomprise a plurality of PIFA elements 590 disposed on base portion 585.In this embodiment, 4 PIFA elements 590 are shown disposed at differentcorners of a square base portion 585, which might be disposed on/in atop portion (e.g., upper portion 235 a), annulus (e.g., annular ringmount 235 a″), crown, or lid (e.g., lid 215) of a pedestal (e.g.,pedestal 125), though the various embodiments may include any suitablenumber of PIFA elements 590. For example, 2 or 4 more PIFA elementsmight be placed on each side of the base portion 585.

As shown in FIGS. 5I-5K, each PIFA element 590 might comprise an antennaportion 590 a, a shorting pin 590 b, a feed point 590 c, and a groundplane 545. In some embodiments, the antenna portion 590 a might be arectangular segment having length, width, and area dimensions configuredto transmit and receive rf signals having particular frequencies. Theshorting pin 590 b might be one of a rectangular segment having a widththat is the same as the width of the antenna portion 590 a, arectangular segment having a width smaller than the width of the antennaportion 590 a, or a wire connection, and the like. The feed point 590 cmight, in some instances, include one of a pin structure, a blockstructure, a wire connection, and/or the like. The feed point 590 cmight communicatively couple to cable 550, which might communicativelycouple to one of the at least one optical fiber line, the at least oneconductive signal line, and/or the like. Like in the embodiment of FIG.5F, the grounding lead for each cable 550 may be electrically coupled tothe ground plane 545. In some cases, the ground plane 545 might becircular (as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 5I and 5K), rectangular, square, orsome other suitable shape.

In some embodiments, several PIFA elements 590 may be combined in asimilar manner as described above with respect to the combiner/divider550 a (in FIG. 5F). Alternatively, some or all of the PIFA elements 590may be left independent for a MIMO antenna array (as also describedabove). According to some embodiments, some PIFA elements might furthercomprise dielectric substrates, not unlike the dielectric substratesdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 5E-5H.

Although the above embodiments in FIGS. 5A-5K refer to customizedtransceiver or radio elements, some embodiments might utilize commercialgrade radio equipment with built-in smart antennas. Many Wi-Fi radiomanufacturers are improving antennas to include arrays that arewell-suited for adapting to difficult propagation environments, such asones created by a low pedestal or hand hole with obstructing buildingsaround. Placing such commercial devices with good smart antennacapabilities in the top (i.e., dome, cover, or lid) of the pedestal (orin the lid of hand holes) may achieve sufficient results in limitedreach scenarios.

Further, although the various antenna types described above aredescribed as stand-alone or independent antenna options, the variousembodiments are not so limited, and the various antenna types may becombined into a single or group of sets of antennas. For example, theplanar waveguide antennas of FIGS. 5E-5H may be combined with lateralmicrostrip patch arrays of FIGS. 5A-5D and/or with the lateral PIFAarrays of FIGS. 5I-5K, due to their different (and sometimescomplementary) main orientations. Lateral arrays can, for instance,provide good access to nearby homes, whereas top leaky waveguideantennas can add access to a higher location (including, but not limitedto, multi-story multi-dwelling units, or the like), or can providebackhaul to a nearby utility pole or structure with another accesspoint, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, antenna 505, 530, 555, or 580 may be disposedwithin wireless access point device 1105 of FIGS. 11D and 11E, may bedisposed within tray 1205 b of wireless access point device 1205 of FIG.12, may be disposed within tray 1305 b or 1305 b′ of the wireless accesspoint device 1300 of FIGS. 13A-13H, or may be disposed within cappingmodule or dome 1350 or 1350′ of the wireless access point device 1300′of FIGS. 13I-13P of the '460 Application. Alternatively, antenna 505,530, 555, or 580 may be disposed within a radiating closure (e.g.,radiating closures 105, 205 a-205 d, and 305 a-305 d of FIGS. 1-3, orthe like) or embedded within a housing or housing material of theradiating closure, which might be one of an aerial radiating closure, abelow grade radiating closure, or a buried radiating closure, asdescribed in detail above with respect to FIGS. 1-3.

FIGS. 6A and 6B (collectively, “FIG. 6”) are flow diagrams illustratinga method 600 for implementing telecommunications signal relays, inaccordance with various embodiments.

While the techniques and procedures are depicted and/or described in acertain order for purposes of illustration, it should be appreciatedthat certain procedures may be reordered and/or omitted within the scopeof various embodiments. Moreover, while the method 600 illustrated byFIG. 6 can be implemented by or with (and, in some cases, are describedbelow with respect to) the systems, apparatuses, or embodiments 100,200-200′″, 300-300′″, 400-400″, and 500-500″ ″ of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and5, respectively (or components thereof), such methods may also beimplemented using any suitable hardware (or software) implementation.Similarly, while each of the systems, apparatuses, or embodiments 100,200-200′″, 300-300′″, 400-400″, and 500-500″ ″ of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and5, respectively (or components thereof), can operate according to themethod 600 illustrated by FIG. 6 (e.g., by executing instructionsembodied on a computer readable medium), the systems, apparatuses, orembodiments 100, 200-200′″, 300-300′″, 400-400″, and 500-500″ ″ of FIGS.1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 can each also operate according to other modes ofoperation and/or perform other suitable procedures.

In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 6A, method 600, at block 605,might comprise receiving, with a signal distribution system disposedwithin a radiating closure, a first communications signal. In somecases, receiving the first communications signal might comprisereceiving, with the signal distribution system, the first communicationssignal via one or more signal lines entering the radiating closurethrough one or more pass-throughs in at least one wall of the radiatingclosure. The one or more signal lines, in some instances, might include,without limitation, at least one of one or more telecommunicationslines, one or more broadband-over-power signal lines, one or more coppercable lines, one or more optical fiber lines, or one or more coaxialcable lines, and/or the like. According to some embodiments, theradiating closure might form a container or might form a lid of acontainer. In some embodiments, the radiating closure might be one of anaerial radiating closure, a below grade radiating closure, or a buriedradiating closure, and/or the like.

At block 610, method 600 might comprise sending, with a wirelesstransceiver of the signal distribution system, the first communicationssignal, via one or more wireless communications channels, to one or moredevices that are external to the radiating closure. Method 600 mightfurther comprise, at optional block 615, configuring, with the signaldistribution system (in some cases, at least one processor of the signaldistribution system, as shown and described above with respect to FIGS.2C, 2D, 3C, and 3D, or the like) at least one of one or more firstantennas disposed within the radiating closure or one or more secondantennas embedded in a housing material of the radiating closure todirect the first communications signal along one or more directions inorder to send the first communications signal to the one or moredevices, particularly for active antenna elements or configurableantenna arrays, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, method 600 might further comprise directing, withthe one or more first antennas disposed within the radiating closure,the first communications signal that is sent, via the one or morewireless communications channels, from the wireless transceiver to theone or more devices (block 620) or directing, with the one or moresecond antennas embedded in the housing material of the radiatingclosure, the first communications signal that is sent, via the one ormore wireless communications channels, from the wireless transceiver tothe one or more devices (block 625), or both. In some cases, directingthe first communications signal might comprise directing the firstcommunications signal in multiple different directions concurrently orsimultaneously (either two or more discretely different directions or inall directions (i.e., radiating radially outward in three-dimensions,similar, but not limited, to radiating from a sphere or radiating fromsome other three-dimensional object, or the like)).

According to embodiments, the one or more first antennas and the one ormore second antennas might each transmit and receive wireless broadbandsignals according to a set of protocols comprising at least one of IEEE802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE802.11ad, or IEEE 802.1af, and/or the like. Alternatively, oradditionally, the one or more first antennas and the one or more secondantennas might each transmit and receive wireless broadband signalsaccording to a set of protocols comprising at least one of UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”), Code Division Multiple Access(“CDMA”), Time Division Multiple Access (“TDMA”), Global System forMobile Communication (“GSM”), Long Term Evolution (“LTE”), PersonalCommunications Service (“PCS”), Advanced Wireless Services (“AWS”),Emergency Alert System (“EAS”), Citizens Band Radio Service (“CBRS”), orBroadband Radio Service (“BRS”), and/or the like. In some cases, the oneor more first antennas might each include, without limitation, at leastone of a plurality of lateral patch antennas, a plurality of arrays ofpatch antennas, one or more micro-strip patch antennas, atwo-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or a three-dimensional(“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/or the like. In some instances,one or more of the at least one of the plurality of lateral patchantennas, the plurality of arrays of patch antennas, the one or moremicro-strip patch antennas, the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguideantenna, or the three-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements,and/or the like might comprise flexible material that allows the one ormore of the at least one of the plurality of lateral patch antennas, theplurality of arrays of patch antennas, the one or more micro-strip patchantennas, the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or thethree-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/or the like tobe bent (as shown and described above with respect to FIG. 4B or thelike) while being disposed within the radiating closure. Alternativelyor additionally, at least one of the one or more first antennas and theone or more second antennas might comprise at least one active antennaelement or the like. In some cases, the housing material of theradiating closure might comprise at least one of metal or plastic,and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the radiating closure might have disposed thereinone or more IoT sensor devices, as shown and described above withrespect to FIGS. 2A, 2C, 3A, and 3C. With reference to FIG. 6B, method600 might further comprise, at optional block 630, monitoring, with theone or more IoT sensor devices disposed within the radiating closure,one or more environmental conditions within the radiating closure andexternal to the radiating closure. In some instances, the one or moreenvironmental conditions being monitored might include, but are notlimited to, at least one of temperature, humidity, movement, vibration,presence of particular chemicals, pressure (both atmospheric andphysical), weather, wind conditions, moisture, or seismic activity,and/or the like, using corresponding one or more of the followingsensors: at least one of one or more temperature sensors, one or morehumidity sensors, one or more accelerometers, one or more vibrationsensors, one or more chemical detectors, one or more pressure sensors,one or more weather sensors, one or more wind sensors, one or moremoisture sensors, or one or more seismic sensors, and/or the like. Atoptional block 635, the method 600 might comprise determining, with theone or more IoT-capable sensor devices, whether one or more sensor datacorresponding to the monitored one or more environmental conditionsexceed one or more corresponding predetermined thresholds. Method 600might further comprise, based on a determination that the one or moresensor data corresponding to the monitored one or more environmentalconditions exceed one or more corresponding predetermined thresholds,autonomously sending, with the one or more IoT-capable sensor devicesand via machine-to-machine communications, the one or more sensor datato one or more nodes (at optional block 640) or, based on adetermination that the one or more sensor data corresponding to themonitored one or more environmental conditions do not exceed the one ormore corresponding predetermined thresholds, preventing the one or moreIoT-capable sensor devices from sending the one or more sensor data tothe one or more nodes. According to some embodiments (as shown anddescribed above with respect to FIG. 1), the one or more IoT-capablesensor devices might alternatively or additionally autonomously send,via machine-to-machine communications, the one or more sensor data to atleast one of the one or more devices.

Exemplary System and Hardware Implementation

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer or systemhardware architecture, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 7provides a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a computer system700 of the service provider system hardware that can perform the methodsprovided by various other embodiments, as described herein, and/or canperform the functions of computer or hardware system (i.e., signaldistribution systems 110, 210 a, 210 b, 310 a, and 310 b, Internet ofThings (“IoT”) sensor devices 125, 225, and 325, servers 140, devices160 a-160 n and 170 a-170 n, and wireless distribution devices 175 a-175n, etc.), as described above. It should be noted that FIG. 7 is meantonly to provide a generalized illustration of various components, ofwhich one or more (or none) of each may be utilized as appropriate. FIG.7, therefore, broadly illustrates how individual system elements may beimplemented in a relatively separated or relatively more integratedmanner.

The computer or hardware system 700—which might represent an embodimentof the computer or hardware system (i.e., signal distribution systems110, 210 a, 210 b, 310 a, and 310 b, IoT sensor devices 125, 225, and325, servers 140, devices 160 a-160 n and 170 a-170 n, and wirelessdistribution devices 175 a-175 n, etc.), described above with respect toFIGS. 1-6—is shown comprising hardware elements that can be electricallycoupled via a bus 705 (or may otherwise be in communication, asappropriate). The hardware elements may include one or more processors710, including, without limitation, one or more general-purposeprocessors and/or one or more special-purpose processors (such asmicroprocessors, digital signal processing chips, graphics accelerationprocessors, and/or the like); one or more input devices 715, which caninclude, without limitation, a mouse, a keyboard and/or the like; andone or more output devices 720, which can include, without limitation, adisplay device, a printer, and/or the like.

The computer or hardware system 700 may further include (and/or be incommunication with) one or more storage devices 725, which can comprise,without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage, and/or caninclude, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an opticalstorage device, solid-state storage device such as a random accessmemory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices maybe configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including,without limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/orthe like.

The computer or hardware system 700 might also include a communicationssubsystem 730, which can include, without limitation, a modem, a networkcard (wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device, a wirelesscommunication device and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, a WWAN device, cellularcommunication facilities, etc.), and/or the like. The communicationssubsystem 730 may permit data to be exchanged with a network (such asthe network described below, to name one example), with other computeror hardware systems, and/or with any other devices described herein. Inmany embodiments, the computer or hardware system 700 will furthercomprise a working memory 735, which can include a RAM or ROM device, asdescribed above.

The computer or hardware system 700 also may comprise software elements,shown as being currently located within the working memory 735,including an operating system 740, device drivers, executable libraries,and/or other code, such as one or more application programs 745, whichmay comprise computer programs provided by various embodiments(including, without limitation, hypervisors, VMs, and the like), and/ormay be designed to implement methods, and/or configure systems, providedby other embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, oneor more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussedabove might be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by acomputer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect, then,such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt ageneral purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or moreoperations in accordance with the described methods.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be encoded and/or storedon a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as thestorage device(s) 725 described above. In some cases, the storage mediummight be incorporated within a computer system, such as the system 700.In other embodiments, the storage medium might be separate from acomputer system (i.e., a removable medium, such as a compact disc,etc.), and/or provided in an installation package, such that the storagemedium can be used to program, configure and/or adapt a general purposecomputer with the instructions/code stored thereon. These instructionsmight take the form of executable code, which is executable by thecomputer or hardware system 700 and/or might take the form of sourceand/or installable code, which, upon compilation and/or installation onthe computer or hardware system 700 (e.g., using any of a variety ofgenerally available compilers, installation programs,compression/decompression utilities, etc.) then takes the form ofexecutable code.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantialvariations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. Forexample, customized hardware (such as programmable logic controllers,field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integratedcircuits, and/or the like) might also be used, and/or particularelements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portablesoftware, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to othercomputing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may employ acomputer or hardware system (such as the computer or hardware system700) to perform methods in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention. According to a set of embodiments, some or all of theprocedures of such methods are performed by the computer or hardwaresystem 700 in response to processor 710 executing one or more sequencesof one or more instructions (which might be incorporated into theoperating system 740 and/or other code, such as an application program745) contained in the working memory 735. Such instructions may be readinto the working memory 735 from another computer readable medium, suchas one or more of the storage device(s) 725. Merely by way of example,execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the workingmemory 735 might cause the processor(s) 710 to perform one or moreprocedures of the methods described herein.

The terms “machine readable medium” and “computer readable medium,” asused herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing datathat causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. In an embodimentimplemented using the computer or hardware system 700, various computerreadable media might be involved in providing instructions/code toprocessor(s) 710 for execution and/or might be used to store and/orcarry such instructions/code (e.g., as signals). In manyimplementations, a computer readable medium is a non-transitory,physical, and/or tangible storage medium. In some embodiments, acomputer readable medium may take many forms, including, but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, or the like. Non-volatile mediaincludes, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as thestorage device(s) 725. Volatile media includes, without limitation,dynamic memory, such as the working memory 735. In some alternativeembodiments, a computer readable medium may take the form oftransmission media, which includes, without limitation, coaxial cables,copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus705, as well as the various components of the communication subsystem730 (and/or the media by which the communications subsystem 730 providescommunication with other devices). In an alternative set of embodiments,transmission media can also take the form of waves (including withoutlimitation radio, acoustic and/or light waves, such as those generatedduring radio-wave and infra-red data communications).

Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other opticalmedium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patternsof holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chipor cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any othermedium from which a computer can read instructions and/or code.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor(s) 710for execution. Merely by way of example, the instructions may initiallybe carried on a magnetic disk and/or optical disc of a remote computer.A remote computer might load the instructions into its dynamic memoryand send the instructions as signals over a transmission medium to bereceived and/or executed by the computer or hardware system 700. Thesesignals, which might be in the form of electromagnetic signals, acousticsignals, optical signals, and/or the like, are all examples of carrierwaves on which instructions can be encoded, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention.

The communications subsystem 730 (and/or components thereof) generallywill receive the signals, and the bus 705 then might carry the signals(and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to theworking memory 735, from which the processor(s) 705 retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by the workingmemory 735 may optionally be stored on a storage device 725 eitherbefore or after execution by the processor(s) 710.

As noted above, a set of embodiments comprises methods and systems forimplementing telecommunications signal relays, and, more particularly,to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing telecommunicationssignal relays using radiating closures that are at least one of aerialradiating closures, below grade radiating closures, and/or buriedradiating closures. FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system800 that can be used in accordance with one set of embodiments. Thesystem 800 can include one or more user computers, user devices, orcustomer devices 805. A user computer, user device, or customer device805 can be a general purpose personal computer (including, merely by wayof example, desktop computers, tablet computers, laptop computers,handheld computers, and the like, running any appropriate operatingsystem, several of which are available from vendors such as Apple,Microsoft Corp., and the like), cloud computing devices, a server(s),and/or a workstation computer(s) running any of a variety ofcommercially-available UNIX™ or UNIX-like operating systems. A usercomputer, user device, or customer device 805 can also have any of avariety of applications, including one or more applications configuredto perform methods provided by various embodiments (as described above,for example), as well as one or more office applications, databaseclient and/or server applications, and/or web browser applications.Alternatively, a user computer, user device, or customer device 805 canbe any other electronic device, such as a thin-client computer,Internet-enabled mobile telephone, and/or personal digital assistant,capable of communicating via a network (e.g., the network(s) 810described below) and/or of displaying and navigating web pages or othertypes of electronic documents. Although the exemplary system 800 isshown with two user computers, user devices, or customer devices 805,any number of user computers, user devices, or customer devices can besupported.

Certain embodiments operate in a networked environment, which caninclude a network(s) 810. The network(s) 810 can be any type of networkfamiliar to those skilled in the art that can support datacommunications using any of a variety of commercially-available (and/orfree or proprietary) protocols, including, without limitation, TCP/IP,SNA™, IPX™, AppleTalk™, and the like. Merely by way of example, thenetwork(s) 810 (similar to network(s) 150 FIG. 1, or the like) can eachinclude a local area network (“LAN”), including, without limitation, afiber network, an Ethernet network, a Token-Ring™ network and/or thelike; a wide-area network (“WAN”); a wireless wide area network(“WWAN”); a virtual network, such as a virtual private network (“VPN”);the Internet; an intranet; an extranet; a public switched telephonenetwork (“PSTN”); an infra-red network; a wireless network, including,without limitation, a network operating under any of the IEEE 802.11suite of protocols, the Bluetooth™ protocol known in the art, and/or anyother wireless protocol; and/or any combination of these and/or othernetworks. In a particular embodiment, the network might include anaccess network of the service provider (e.g., an Internet serviceprovider (“ISP”)). In another embodiment, the network might include acore network of the service provider, and/or the Internet.

Embodiments can also include one or more server computers 815. Each ofthe server computers 815 may be configured with an operating system,including, without limitation, any of those discussed above, as well asany commercially (or freely) available server operating systems. Each ofthe servers 815 may also be running one or more applications, which canbe configured to provide services to one or more clients 805 and/orother servers 815.

Merely by way of example, one of the servers 815 might be a data server,a web server, a cloud computing device(s), or the like, as describedabove. The data server might include (or be in communication with) a webserver, which can be used, merely by way of example, to process requestsfor web pages or other electronic documents from user computers 805. Theweb server can also run a variety of server applications, including HTTPservers, FTP servers, CGI servers, database servers, Java servers, andthe like. In some embodiments of the invention, the web server may beconfigured to serve web pages that can be operated within a web browseron one or more of the user computers 805 to perform methods of theinvention.

The server computers 815, in some embodiments, might include one or moreapplication servers, which can be configured with one or moreapplications accessible by a client running on one or more of the clientcomputers 805 and/or other servers 815. Merely by way of example, theserver(s) 815 can be one or more general purpose computers capable ofexecuting programs or scripts in response to the user computers 805and/or other servers 815, including, without limitation, webapplications (which might, in some cases, be configured to performmethods provided by various embodiments). Merely by way of example, aweb application can be implemented as one or more scripts or programswritten in any suitable programming language, such as Java™, C, C#™ orC++, and/or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python, or TCL, aswell as combinations of any programming and/or scripting languages. Theapplication server(s) can also include database servers, including,without limitation, those commercially available from Oracle™,Microsoft™, Sybase™, IBM™, and the like, which can process requests fromclients (including, depending on the configuration, dedicated databaseclients, API clients, web browsers, etc.) running on a user computer,user device, or customer device 805 and/or another server 815. In someembodiments, an application server can perform one or more of theprocesses for implementing telecommunications signal relays, and, moreparticularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementingtelecommunications signal relays using radiating closures that are atleast one of aerial radiating closures, below grade radiating closures,and/or buried radiating closures, or the like, as described in detailabove. Data provided by an application server may be formatted as one ormore web pages (comprising HTML, JavaScript, etc., for example) and/ormay be forwarded to a user computer 805 via a web server (as describedabove, for example). Similarly, a web server might receive web pagerequests and/or input data from a user computer 805 and/or forward theweb page requests and/or input data to an application server. In somecases, a web server may be integrated with an application server.

In accordance with further embodiments, one or more servers 815 canfunction as a file server and/or can include one or more of the files(e.g., application code, data files, etc.) necessary to implementvarious disclosed methods, incorporated by an application running on auser computer 805 and/or another server 815. Alternatively, as thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, a file server can include allnecessary files, allowing such an application to be invoked remotely bya user computer, user device, or customer device 805 and/or server 815.

It should be noted that the functions described with respect to variousservers herein (e.g., application server, database server, web server,file server, etc.) can be performed by a single server and/or aplurality of specialized servers, depending on implementation-specificneeds and parameters.

In certain embodiments, the system can include one or more databases 820a-820 n (collectively, “databases 820”). The location of each of thedatabases 820 is discretionary: merely by way of example, a database 820a might reside on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) aserver 815 a (and/or a user computer, user device, or customer device805). Alternatively, a database 820 n can be remote from any or all ofthe computers 805, 815, so long as it can be in communication (e.g., viathe network 810) with one or more of these. In a particular set ofembodiments, a database 820 can reside in a storage-area network (“SAN”)familiar to those skilled in the art. (Likewise, any necessary files forperforming the functions attributed to the computers 805, 815 can bestored locally on the respective computer and/or remotely, asappropriate.) In one set of embodiments, the database 820 can be arelational database, such as an Oracle database, that is adapted tostore, update, and retrieve data in response to SQL-formatted commands.The database might be controlled and/or maintained by a database server,as described above, for example.

According to some embodiments, system 800 might further comprise aradiating closure 825 (similar to radiating closures 105, 205 a-205 d,and 305 a-305 d of FIGS. 1-3, or the like), a signal distribution system830 (similar to signal distribution systems 110, 210 a, 210 b, 310 a,and 310 b of FIG. 1-3, or the like), a wireless transceiver 835 (similarto wireless transceivers 115, 215, and 315 of FIGS. 1-3, or the like),an antenna(s) 840 (similar to antennas 120, 220, 320, 405, 415, 505,530, 555, and 580 of FIGS. 1-5, or the like), an Internet of Things(“IoT”) sensor device(s) 845 (optional; similar to IoT sensor devices125, 225, and 325 of FIGS. 1-3, or the like), a network node 850(similar to service node or base 135 b of FIG. 1, or the like), and oneor more devices 855 a-855 n (collectively, “devices 855” or the like;similar to devices 160 a-160 n and 170 a-170 n of FIG. 1 or the like).In some embodiments, the signal distribution system 830, which mightcomprise the wireless transceiver 835, might be disposed within theradiating closure 825. Also disposed within the radiating closure 825might be the antenna(s) 840, and, according to some embodiments, one ormore IoT sensor devices 845. According to some embodiments, theradiating closure might be one of an aerial radiating closure, a belowgrade radiating closure, or a buried radiating closure, and/or the like.

Merely by way of example, in some aspects, the antenna(s) 840 mightinclude, without limitation, at least one of a plurality of lateralpatch antennas, a plurality of arrays of patch antennas, one or moremicro-strip patch antennas, a two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguideantenna, or a three-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements, and/orthe like. In some instances, one or more of the at least one of theplurality of lateral patch antennas, the plurality of arrays of patchantennas, the one or more micro-strip patch antennas, thetwo-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or the three-dimensional(“3D”) array of antenna elements comprise flexible material that allowsthe one or more of the at least one of the plurality of lateral patchantennas, the plurality of arrays of patch antennas, the one or moremicro-strip patch antennas, the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguideantenna, or the three-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements to bebent while being disposed within a housing of the radiating closure 825.In some cases, at least one of the antenna(s) 840 might include at leastone active antenna element.

In operation, according to some embodiments, the signal distributionsystem 830, which might be disposed within the radiating closure 825,might receive a first communications signal. In some cases, receivingthe first communications signal might comprise receiving, with thesignal distribution system, the first communications signal via one ormore signal lines entering the radiating closure through one or morepass-throughs in at least one wall of the radiating closure. The one ormore signal lines, in some instances, might include, without limitation,at least one of one or more telecommunications lines, one or morebroadband-over-power signal lines, one or more copper cable lines, oneor more optical fiber lines, or one or more coaxial cable lines, and/orthe like. The wireless transceiver 835 of the signal distribution system830 might send the first communications signal, via one or more wirelesscommunications channels, to one or more devices 855 a-855 n that areexternal to the radiating closure 825 (and, in some cases, user devices805 a and/or 805 b, as well). In some embodiments, the antenna(s)840—which might comprise at least one of one or more first antennasdisposed within the radiating closure (as shown and described above withrespect to FIG. 2) or one or more second antennas embedded in a housingmaterial of the radiating closure (as shown and described above withrespect to FIG. 3), or a combination of the two—might direct the firstcommunications signal that is sent, via the one or more wirelesscommunications channels, from the wireless transceiver 835 to the one ormore devices 855 (and/or user devices 805 a and/or 805 b), in somecases, directing the first communications signal in multiple differentdirections (either two or more discretely different directions or in alldirections (i.e., radiating radially outward in three-dimensions,similar, but not limited, to radiating from a sphere or radiating fromsome other three-dimensional object, or the like)).

In some embodiments, the radiating closure 825 might have disposedtherein one or more IoT sensor devices, which might monitor one or moreenvironmental conditions within the radiating closure and external tothe radiating closure. The one or more environmental conditions beingmonitored might include, but are not limited to, at least one oftemperature, humidity, movement, vibration, presence of particularchemicals, pressure (both atmospheric and physical), weather, windconditions, moisture, or seismic activity, and/or the like, usingcorresponding one or more of the following sensors: at least one of oneor more temperature sensors, one or more humidity sensors, one or moreaccelerometers, one or more vibration sensors, one or more chemicaldetectors, one or more pressure sensors, one or more weather sensors,one or more wind sensors, one or more moisture sensors, or one or moreseismic sensors, and/or the like. The one or more IoT-capable sensordevices 845 might, in some cases, determine whether one or more sensordata corresponding to the monitored one or more environmental conditionsexceed one or more corresponding predetermined thresholds. If so, theone or more IoT-capable sensor devices might autonomously send, viamachine-to-machine communications, the one or more sensor data to one ormore network nodes 850. According to some embodiments, the one or moreIoT-capable sensor devices might alternatively or additionallyautonomously send, via machine-to-machine communications, the one ormore sensor data to at least one of the one or more devices 855 a-855 nand/or user devices 805 a and/or 805 b.

These and other functions of the system 800 (and its components) aredescribed in greater detail above with respect to FIGS. 1-6.

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect toexemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous modifications are possible. For example, the methods andprocesses described herein may be implemented using hardware components,software components, and/or any combination thereof. Further, whilevarious methods and processes described herein may be described withrespect to particular structural and/or functional components for easeof description, methods provided by various embodiments are not limitedto any particular structural and/or functional architecture but insteadcan be implemented on any suitable hardware, firmware and/or softwareconfiguration. Similarly, while certain functionality is ascribed tocertain system components, unless the context dictates otherwise, thisfunctionality can be distributed among various other system componentsin accordance with the several embodiments.

Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes describedherein are described in a particular order for ease of description,unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may bereordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments.Moreover, the procedures described with respect to one method or processmay be incorporated within other described methods or processes;likewise, system components described according to a particularstructural architecture and/or with respect to one system may beorganized in alternative structural architectures and/or incorporatedwithin other described systems. Hence, while various embodiments aredescribed with—or without—certain features for ease of description andto illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the variouscomponents and/or features described herein with respect to a particularembodiment can be substituted, added and/or subtracted from among otherdescribed embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise.Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are describedabove, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to coverall modifications and equivalents within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, with a signaldistribution system disposed within a radiating closure, a firstcommunications signal; sending, with a wireless transceiver of thesignal distribution system, the first communications signal, via one ormore wireless communications channels, to one or more devices that areexternal to the radiating closure; directing, with at least one of oneor more first antennas disposed within the radiating closure or one ormore second antennas embedded in a housing material of the radiatingclosure, the first communications signal that is sent, via the one ormore wireless communications channels, from the wireless transceiver tothe one or more devices; monitoring, with one or more Internet of Things(“IoT”) -capable sensor devices disposed within the radiating closure,one or more environmental conditions within the radiating closure andexternal to the radiating closure; determining, with the one or moreIoT-capable sensor devices, whether one or more sensor datacorresponding to the monitored one or more environmental conditionsexceed one or more corresponding predetermined thresholds; and based ona determination that the one or more sensor data corresponding to themonitored one or more environmental conditions do not exceed one or morecorresponding predetermined thresholds, preventing the one or moreIoT-capable sensor devices from sending the one or more sensor data toone or more nodes.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiatingclosure is one of an aerial radiating closure, a below grade radiatingclosure, or a buried radiating closure.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein receiving the first communications signal comprises receiving,with the signal distribution system, the first communications signal viaone or more signal lines entering the radiating closure through one ormore pass-throughs in at least one wall of the radiating closure, theone or more signal lines comprising at least one of one or moretelecommunications lines, one or more broadband-over-power signal lines,one or more copper cable lines, one or more optical fiber lines, or oneor more coaxial cable lines.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein directingthe first communications signal to the one or more devices via the oneor more wireless communications channels comprises directing, with theat least one of the one or more first antennas disposed within theradiating closure or the one or more second antennas embedded in thehousing material of the radiating closure, the first communicationssignal to the one or more devices via the one or more wirelesscommunications channels in multiple different directions.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the one or more first antennas and the one or moresecond antennas each transmits and receives wireless broadband signalsaccording to a set of protocols comprising at least one of IEEE 802.11a,IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ad,or IEEE 802.11af.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or morefirst antennas and the one or more second antennas each transmits andreceives wireless broadband signals according to a set of protocolscomprising at least one of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(“UMTS”), Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”), Time Division MultipleAccess (“TDMA”), Global System for Mobile Communication (“GSM”), LongTerm Evolution (“LTE”), Personal Communications Service (“PCS”),Advanced Wireless Services (“AWS”), Emergency Alert System (“EAS”),Citizens Band Radio Service (“CBRS”), or Broadband Radio Service(“BRS”).
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more firstantennas each comprises at least one of a plurality of lateral patchantennas, a plurality of arrays of patch antennas, one or moremicro-strip patch antennas, a two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguideantenna, or a three-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements,wherein one or more of the at least one of the plurality of lateralpatch antennas, the plurality of arrays of patch antennas, the one ormore micro-strip patch antennas, the two-dimensional (“2D”) leakywaveguide antenna, or the three-dimensional (“3D”) array of antennaelements comprise flexible material that allows the one or more of theat least one of the plurality of lateral patch antennas, the pluralityof arrays of patch antennas, the one or more micro-strip patch antennas,the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or thethree-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements to be bent whilebeing disposed within the radiating closure.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein at least one of the one or more first antennas and the one ormore second antennas comprises at least one active antenna element. 9.An apparatus, comprising: a housing; a signal distribution system, whichis disposed within the housing, that receives a first communicationssignal; a wireless transceiver, which is communicatively coupled to thesignal distribution system, that sends the first communications signal,via one or more wireless communications channels, to one or more devicesthat are external to the housing; at least one of one or more firstantennas disposed within the housing or one or more second antennasembedded in a housing material of the housing that directs the firstcommunications signal that is sent, via the one or more wirelesscommunications channels, from the wireless transceiver to the one ormore devices; and one or more Internet of Things (“IoT”) -capable sensordevices disposed within the housing, the one or more IoT-capable sensordevices each comprising: one or more first sensors; one or more firsttransceivers; at least one first processor; and a first non-transitorycomputer readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least onefirst processor, the first non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving stored thereon computer software comprising a first set ofinstructions that, when executed by the at least one first processor,causes the IoT-capable sensor device to: monitor, using the one or morefirst sensors, one or more environmental conditions within the apparatusand external to the apparatus; determine whether one or more sensor datacorresponding to the monitored one or more environmental conditionsexceed one or more corresponding predetermined thresholds; and based ona determination that the one or more sensor data corresponding to themonitored one or more environmental conditions does not exceed one ormore corresponding predetermined thresholds prevent, with the one ormore first transceivers and via machine-to-machine communications,sending the one or more sensor data to one or more nodes.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is a radiating closure thatforms a container.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatusis a radiating closure that forms a lid of a container.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the housing material comprises at leastone of metal or plastic.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein theapparatus is a radiating closure, which is one of an aerial radiatingclosure, a below grade radiating closure, or a buried radiating closure.14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein receiving the first communicationssignal comprises receiving the first communications signal via one ormore signal lines entering the apparatus through one or morepass-throughs in at least one wall of the housing, the one or moresignal lines comprising at least one of one or more telecommunicationslines, one or more broadband-over-power signal lines, one or more coppercable lines, one or more optical fiber lines, or one or more coaxialcable lines.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein directing the firstcommunications signal to the one or more devices via the one or morewireless communications channels comprises directing the firstcommunications signal to the one or more devices via the one or morewireless communications channels in multiple different directions. 16.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more first antennas eachcomprises at least one of a plurality of lateral patch antennas, aplurality of arrays of patch antennas, one or more micro-strip patchantennas, a two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or athree-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements, wherein one or moreof the at least one of the plurality of lateral patch antennas, theplurality of arrays of patch antennas, the one or more micro-strip patchantennas, the two-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or thethree-dimensional (“3D”) array of antenna elements comprise flexiblematerial that allows the one or more of the at least one of theplurality of lateral patch antennas, the plurality of arrays of patchantennas, the one or more micro-strip patch antennas, thetwo-dimensional (“2D”) leaky waveguide antenna, or the three-dimensional(“3D”) array of antenna elements to be bent while being disposed withinthe housing.
 17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the signaldistribution system comprises: the wireless transceiver; at least onesecond processor; and a second non-transitory computer readable mediumcommunicatively coupled to the at least one second processor, the secondnon-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computersoftware comprising a second set of instructions that, when executed bythe at least one second processor, causes the signal distribution systemto: receive a first communications signal; and send, using the wirelesstransceiver, the first communications signal to the one or more devicesexternal to the housing via the one or more wireless communicationschannels.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second set ofinstructions, when executed by the at least one second processor,further causes the signal distribution system to: configure the at leastone of the one or more first antennas disposed within the housing or theone or more second antennas embedded in the housing material of thehousing to direct the first communications signal along one or moredirections in order to send the first communications signal to the oneor more devices.